Poverty and living standards in San Jose, Costa Rica: official figures
The Judicial Investigation Organism handled 250 intentional homicides in San Jose in 2024 and 218 in 2023, 28.4% of the national 879 in 2024.
What is the homicide rate in San Jose?
San Jose's 2024 homicide rate was 15.1 per 100,000 residents, 4th highest of 7 and against 17.0 for Costa Rica.
Source: INEC Costa Rica · saved copyIs crime rising in San Jose?
The number of homicides in San Jose rose from 218 in 2023 to 250 in 2024 (+32); nationally they went from 906 to 879.
Source: INEC Costa Rica · saved copyWhat is the suicide rate in San Jose?
105 suicides were handled by the Judicial Investigation Organism in San Jose in 2024 (130 in 2023), 6.3 per 100,000 residents, the lowest of 7 (national 7.7).
Source: INEC Costa Rica · saved copyHow many violent deaths are there in San Jose?
Homicides and suicides together came to 355 violent deaths in San Jose in 2024, or 21.4 per 100,000 residents; 30% were suicides.
Source: INEC Costa Rica · saved copyIs San Jose more violent than the rest of Costa Rica?
San Jose accounted for 28.4% of Costa Rica's homicides and 32.1% of its population in 2024, so its share of homicides is lower than its share of residents.
Source: INEC Costa Rica · saved copyHow San Jose compares with other provinces
Homicide rate (2024)
San Jose ranks 4 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)
San Jose ranks 7 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)
San Jose ranks 1 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 San Jose: 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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