World Happiness Report for Costa Rica 2024
- Overall Happiness Rank Costa Rica: 12
- Happiness Score Costa Rica:6.955
Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.
What is the Happiness Index?
The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.
How is the Happiness Index Calculated?
The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.
In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:
- GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
- Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
- Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
- Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
- Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
- Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.
These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.
What Does the Happiness Index Affect?
The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:
- Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
- Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
- Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
- Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.
By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.
Short information
- Abbreviation of Costa Rica. CR.
Costa Rica is a democratic republic with a stable political structure.
- It is known for its rich biodiversity and commitment to environmental conservation.
- Costa Rica has a strong tourism industry and is a leader in renewable energy production.
- The country is also famous for its “Pura Vida” lifestyle, emphasizing a laid-back and positive outlook on life.
Costa Rica – A Comprehensive Overview
Early History and Ancient Civilizations
The territory of modern-day Costa Rica was inhabited by various indigenous tribes, including the Chorotegas, Huetares, and Bribri. The earliest known settlements date back to around 10,000 BCE, with the development of agricultural practices and ceramics around 3,000 BCE.
Colonial Period and Independence
Christopher Columbus arrived in Costa Rica in 1502, initiating Spanish colonization. The country gained independence from Spain in 1821 as part of the Mexican Empire, and later joined the Federal Republic of Central America in 1823. Costa Rica officially became a sovereign nation in 1838.
Modern Era and Political Situation
Costa Rica abolished its military in 1949 and has since focused on promoting democracy, peace, and environmental sustainability. The country has a stable presidential constitutional republic with a multi-party system. The current president is Rodrigo Chaves, who took office in 2022.
International Relations
Costa Rica maintains strong diplomatic ties with its Central American neighbors and is an active member of the United Nations and the Organization of American States. The country has been a pioneer in environmental conservation and sustainable tourism.
Economy and Human Development
Costa Rica has a robust economy driven by industries such as tourism, agriculture, and high-tech manufacturing. The country enjoys a high standard of living, with a focus on education, healthcare, and environmental protection.
Cultural Highlights
Costa Rica is known for its rich cultural diversity, including indigenous traditions, Spanish colonial heritage, and Afro-Caribbean influences. The pura vida (pure life) philosophy embraces a laid-back, eco-friendly lifestyle. Notable cultural elements include traditional dances, colorful ox-cart artwork, and delicious cuisine featuring staples like rice, beans, and tropical fruits.
Challenges and Opportunities
Costa Rica faces challenges such as income inequality, environmental conservation, and sustainable development. However, the country’s commitment to peace, education, and environmental protection positions it well to address these issues and continue its path toward progress and prosperity.
Main facts
1. Location
Costa Rica is a country located in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the northeast, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, and Ecuador to the south of Cocos Island.
2. Map References
Costa Rica is situated in the Central American region.
3. Area – Comparative
Costa Rica has an area slightly smaller than the U.S. state of West Virginia.
4. Land Boundaries and Border Countries
Total: 639 km
Border countries: Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km
5. Coastline
Costa Rica has a total coastline of 1,290 km, with both Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean coasts.
6. Maritime Claims
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
7. Climate
Costa Rica has a tropical and subtropical climate, with a dry season (December to April) and a rainy season (May to November). The coastal areas experience a hot and humid climate, while the mountainous regions have a cooler, more temperate climate.
8. Terrain
Costa Rica’s terrain is characterized by coastal plains separated by rugged mountains forming the central spine of the country. The highest elevation is the Cerro Chirripo, located in the Cordillera de Talamanca mountain range.
9. Elevation Extremes
Highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m
Lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
10. Natural Resources
Costa Rica’s natural resources include hydropower, timber, and arable land.
11. Major Bodies of Water
Major rivers in Costa Rica include the Reventazón, Río Grande, Río Frío, and Río San Juan (shared with Nicaragua). The largest lake is Lake Arenal, while the Golfo Dulce and Nicoya Gulf are notable coastal features.
12. Natural Hazards
Costa Rica is prone to natural hazards such as volcanic activity, earthquakes, hurricanes along the Caribbean coast, and occasional severe flooding.
13. Geography – Notes
Costa Rica is known for its diverse and rich biodiversity, hosting numerous national parks and protected areas that preserve its tropical forests, beaches, and wildlife. The country is a leader in sustainable tourism and renewable energy initiatives.
- Forest Area (% of land area): 54.60%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
- Co2 Emissions: 8,023. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
- Agricultural Land( %). 34.50%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
- Geographic Coordinates: 9.748917-83.753428.
- Capital: The capital of Costa Rica is San José
- Major Cities:
- San Jose – Population: 335,007
- Alajuela – Population: 48,027
- Cartago – Population: 25,603
- Heredia – Population: 24,050
- Puntarenas – Population: 25,590
- Limon – Population: 59,641
- San Francisco – Population: 55,923
- Population: 5,047,561
- Area(Km2): 51000
- Population Density( P/Km²):100. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
- Calling Code:506
- Official Language(s):Costa Rica is Spanish (100%).
- Currency: CRC
Main Economic Indicators
Costa Rica has a robust and diversified economy, with a GDP of around $63.8 billion in 2022. Services, particularly tourism, drive a significant portion of economic activity. The country has faced challenges in recent years, including fiscal imbalances and high public debt levels. Policies have focused on promoting sustainable economic growth, reducing poverty, and attracting foreign investment.
Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)
2022: 8.4% (Source: Central Bank of Costa Rica)
2021: 3.3% (Source: Central Bank of Costa Rica)
Credit Ratings
Fitch: B+ (Stable)
Moody’s: B2 (Positive)
Standard & Poor’s: B+ (Stable)
GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin
Agriculture: 4.3%
Industry: 17.1%
Services: 78.6%
Key Agricultural and Industrial Products
Agricultural: Bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes, beef, poultry.
Industrial: Medical equipment, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizers, plastic products.
Labor Force
Total Labor Force: 2.3 million (2022 estimate)
Comparative Ranking: 116th out of 194 countries
Current Account Balance
2022: -$2.7 billion (estimate)
2021: -$1.9 billion
Comparative Ranking: 155th out of 195 countries
Exports and Imports
Exports (2022): $12.4 billion
Key Partners: United States, Netherlands, Belgium, Panama, Guatemala
Main Commodities: Integrated circuits, medical instruments, bananas, pineapples, ornamental plants
Imports (2022): $19.9 billion
Key Partners: United States, China, Mexico, Germany, Japan
Main Commodities: Machinery, vehicles, petroleum products, plastics, medical instruments
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
Foreign Exchange Reserves: $8.1 billion (as of December 2022)
Gold Reserves: 0.2 million ounces (as of December 2022)
- GDP (Current US$):$61,773,944,174. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
- Tax Revenue (% of GDP): 13.60%. It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
- Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 58.30%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
- Gasoline Price. $0.98. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
- Minimum wage. $1.84. It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
- Unemployment Rate (%): 11.85%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.
Social Indicators
1. National Identity
Noun: Costa Rican(s)
Adjective: Costa Rican
2. Ethnic Groups
– White or Mestizo (Spanish and Indigenous American descent) 83.6%
– Mulatto (African and European descent) 6.7%
– Indigenous 2.4%
– Other 7.3%
3. Religions
– Roman Catholic 71.8%
– Evangelical 12.3%
– Other Protestant 3.4%
– Jehovah’s Witness 1.1%
– Other 4.8%
– None 6.6%
4. Age Structure
– 0-14 years: 21.29%
– 15-64 years: 68.72%
– 65 years and over: 9.99%
5. Dependency Ratios
– Total dependency ratio: 45.4
– Youth dependency ratio: 31.1
– Elderly dependency ratio: 14.3
6. Median Age
– Total: 31.8 years
– Male: 30.9 years
– Female: 32.7 years
7. Lifestyle Indicators
– Obesity rate: 25.7%
– Alcohol consumption: 5.6 liters of pure alcohol per capita per year
– Tobacco use: 10.4% of adults
- Life Expectancy at Birth: 80.1. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
- Literacy Rate (% of adults): 96.8%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
- Birth Rate:13.97. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
- Death Rate:7. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
- Fertility Rate: 1.75. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
- Internet Users (% of population): 68.1%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
- Urban Population: 4,041,885. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
- Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):21.50%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.
Infrastructure and Services
Military and Security Forces
Costa Rica has no standing military forces. The country abolished its military in 1949 after a civil war, with its security responsibilities falling under the jurisdiction of the following agencies:
- Policia de Control de Drogas (Drug Control Police): Responsible for enforcing laws against drug trafficking and related crimes.
- Fuerza Pública (Public Force): A national civilian police force responsible for maintaining public order and security.
- Policia de Frontera (Border Police): Responsible for securing and patrolling Costa Rica’s borders.
Military Expenditures
Costa Rica has no military expenditures as it does not maintain active military forces. Its security budget is allocated for the operation of civilian law enforcement agencies.
Personnel Strengths
Costa Rica has no active-duty military personnel. The strength of its security services includes:
- Fuerza Pública (Public Force): Approximately 13,000 officers.
- Policia de Control de Drogas (Drug Control Police): Approximately 900 officers.
- Policia de Frontera (Border Police): Approximately 700 officers.
Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions
Costa Rica does not possess any military equipment or hardware. Its security forces are equipped with standard law enforcement weaponry and equipment for maintaining public order and border security.
Military Service Age and Obligation
Costa Rica has no military service obligations or requirements for its citizens.
Military Deployments
Costa Rica does not have any overseas military deployments or participate in international peacekeeping missions due to the absence of standing military forces.
Strategic Military Notes
As a nation without a military, Costa Rica’s defense strategy revolves around maintaining strong diplomatic ties, promoting regional stability, and relying on international cooperation for national security. The country’s security focus is on combating transnational criminal activities, such as drug trafficking and organized crime, through its civilian law enforcement agencies.
- Armed Forces Size: 10000. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
- Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 2.89
- Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 62.10%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.