Costa Rica
The context
Costa Rica became an OECD member in 2021. After a decrease during the COVID-19 crisis, its GDP has recovered and is projected to grow. Unemployment has been increasing since 2017, reaching 17.4 per cent of the population.
Country facts
Costa Rica has the lowest level of food insecurity in Central America.
Costa Rica is a beacon of social and political stability in Central America, yet it has experienced the largest increase in poverty and inequality from 2017 to 2022.
Costa Rica is one of few countries to expand its forest cover in recent decades to about 60 per cent of the country.