Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a Central American country bordering the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea located between Nicaragua and Panama with a total population of approximately 5,097,988 inhabitants.

The nation covers an area of approximately 51,100 sq. km of which 51,060 sq. km or 99.92% is land while the remaining 40 sq. km or 0.08% is water. 

Of the total land available 4.9% or 2,503.90 sq. km is arable. Almost 51.5% of the total land available or 26,316.50 sq. km is covered with forests.

The nation’s total GDP is valued at 58.27 billion. The services sector is the nation’s largest GDP contributor accounting for 73.9% of total GDP or 43.06 billion. The services sector is followed by industry which accounts for 20.6% or 12 billion of total GDP and agriculture which accounts for 5.5% or 3.20 billion of total GDP.

The nation’s total labor force is estimated at 2.229 million or 43.72% of the total population. Of the total labor force available 64% or 1,426,560 are employed in the services sector, 22% or 490,380 are employed in the industrial sector and 5.5% or 122,595 are employed in the agricultural sector. 

The nation’s main industries include medical equipment, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizers, and plastic products.

The nation’s main agricultural produce include bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef, poultry, dairy; and timber.

The nation’s primary exports include bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar; beef; seafood; electronic components, and medical equipment.

Costa Rica’s biggest trade partner is the United States and it accounts for 40.9% of all exports and 38.1% of all imports. The nation shares very good ties with the United States.

Other export partners include Belgium 6.3%, Panama 5.6%, Netherlands 5.6%, Nicaragua 5.1%, and Guatemala 5%. Other major import partners include China 13.1% and Mexico 7.3%.