Poverty and living standards in Alajuela, Costa Rica: official figures
The Judicial Investigation Organism handled 106 intentional homicides in Alajuela in 2024 and 104 in 2023, 12.1% of the national 879 in 2024.
What is the homicide rate in Alajuela?
Alajuela's 2024 homicide rate was 9.9 per 100,000 residents, 2nd lowest of 7 and against 17.0 for Costa Rica.
Source: INEC Costa Rica · saved copyIs crime rising in Alajuela?
The number of homicides in Alajuela rose from 104 in 2023 to 106 in 2024 (+2); nationally they went from 906 to 879.
Source: INEC Costa Rica · saved copyWhat is the suicide rate in Alajuela?
94 suicides were handled by the Judicial Investigation Organism in Alajuela in 2024 (92 in 2023), 8.8 per 100,000 residents, 2nd highest of 7 (national 7.7).
Source: INEC Costa Rica · saved copyHow many violent deaths are there in Alajuela?
Homicides and suicides together came to 200 violent deaths in Alajuela in 2024, or 18.7 per 100,000 residents; 47% were suicides.
Source: INEC Costa Rica · saved copyIs Alajuela more violent than the rest of Costa Rica?
Alajuela accounted for 12.1% of Costa Rica's homicides and 20.7% of its population in 2024, so its share of homicides is lower than its share of residents.
Source: INEC Costa Rica · saved copyHow Alajuela compares with other provinces
Homicide rate (2024)
Alajuela ranks 6 of 7, highest first. Intentional homicides per 100,000 residents
| Rank | Region | Homicide rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Limon | 39.9 |
| 2 | Puntarenas | 30.7 |
| 3 | Guanacaste | 18.0 |
| 4 | San Jose | 15.1 |
| 5 | Cartago | 14.1 |
| 6 | Alajuela | 9.9 |
| 7 | Heredia | 7.2 |
Suicide rate (2024)
Alajuela ranks 2 of 7, highest first. Suicides per 100,000 residents
| Rank | Region | Suicide rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Puntarenas | 9.2 |
| 2 | Alajuela | 8.8 |
| 3 | Cartago | 8.6 |
| 4 | Guanacaste | 8.5 |
| 5 | Limon | 7.7 |
| 6 | Heredia | 6.6 |
| 7 | San Jose | 6.3 |
Homicides (2024)
Alajuela ranks 4 of 7, highest first. Number of cases handled
| Rank | Region | Homicides |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | 250 |
| 2 | Limon | 181 |
| 3 | Puntarenas | 154 |
| 4 | Alajuela | 106 |
| 5 | Cartago | 75 |
| 6 | Guanacaste | 74 |
| 7 | Heredia | 39 |
More on Alajuela: overview · economy and jobs · health · Costa Rica
Sources
- INEC Costa Rica: Anuario Estadistico 2023-2024, Social: tables 12.6 and 12.7 (homicides and suicides, Poder Judicial) and 12.28 (district Social Development Index 2023, Mideplan), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 e8115b94fa09…)
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