Living in Costa RicaA small Central American country with rainforests, volcanoes and two coastlines, and a large share of protected nature. Editorial
The numbers
Main city climate23° to 25°CColdest and warmest month averages, San José · 2020
Average temperature23.4°CSan José (whole country 24.8°C) · 2020
Price level62%Of US prices for everyday goods and services · 2025
Average spending$1,705Per person per month (international $, PPP) · 2025
Income per person$33,800GDP per person a year (international $, PPP) · 2025
Unemployment6.8%Of the labour force · 2025
Homicides17.7Per 100,000 people a year · 2023
Life expectancy81.0 yearsAt birth · 2024
Clean air18 µg/m³Average fine-particle pollution (WHO guideline: 5) · 2023
Forest59%Of the land area · 2024
City dwellers80%Of people live in cities and towns · 2025
Tax revenue13.5%Of GDP · 2024
Language and getting around Editorial
- Languages: Spanish. Some English, mostly in cities and business.
- Public transport: Limited: daily life mostly needs a car or taxis.
- Geography: Has a coastline, with mountain areas. Capital: San Jose.
Moving to Costa Rica
Visa and residence rules depend on your nationality, job, studies and family, and they change often. Start with the government's own website: www.migracion.go.cr.
Sources
| Indicator | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP per person (PPP) | 33,814.77 international $ | 2025 | World Bank WDI |
| Unemployment | 6.84 % of labour force | 2025 | World Bank WDI (ILO estimate) |
| Intentional homicides | 17.75 per 100,000 people | 2023 | World Bank WDI (UNODC) |
| Political stability and absence of violence | 1.22 score, -2.5 to 2.5 | 2025 | Worldwide Governance Indicators |
| Government effectiveness (public services) | 0.41 score, -2.5 to 2.5 | 2025 | Worldwide Governance Indicators |
| Life expectancy at birth | 81 years | 2024 | World Bank WDI |
| Health spending per person | 1,163.3 US$ per person | 2023 | World Bank WDI (WHO) |
| Tax revenue | 13.46 % of GDP | 2024 | World Bank WDI (IMF) |
| People living in cities and towns | 79.73 % of population | 2025 | World Bank WDI (UN) |
| Forest area | 59.06 % of land | 2024 | World Bank WDI (FAO) |
| Fine-particle air pollution (PM2.5) | 17.7 µg/m³, annual mean | 2023 | World Bank WDI |
| Price level of household goods and services | 0.62 ratio, United States = 1 | 2025 | Calculated: PPP conversion factor (private consumption) / official exchange rate, World Bank WDI |
| Average household spending per person | 1,704.8 international $ per person per month | 2025 | Calculated: household consumption (PPP) / population / 12, World Bank WDI |
| Average temperature, whole country 1991-2020 | 24.8 °C | 2020 | World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal (CRU TS 4.08, 1991-2020) |
| Average temperature, main city | 23.4 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Coldest month average, main city | 22.5 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Warmest month average, main city | 25.2 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Rainfall, main city | 1,792 mm per year | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
Data checked 2 November 2026. National averages hide differences between cities and regions. Climate figures for San José are 2001–2020 averages.
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