Quick facts
Costa Rica population overview
Costa Rica is the 11th most populous of 41 countries and territories in North America. The United Nations put the population at 5,186,235 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.4% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 58 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 50,306 births (9.7 per 1,000 people) and 30,080 deaths (5.8 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 1,037 people. The infant mortality rate is 6 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 1,327,496 in 1960 to 5,152,950 in 2025 — a change of +288.2%, or +2.1% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 35.7 years; life expectancy at birth is 81.4 years; women have on average 1.3 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 18.3% of residents are under 15 and 12.8% are 65 or older (2025); 79.7% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is San Jose. Costa Rica covers 51,100 km², giving a population density of about 102 people per km². GDP was $102.90B in 2025 — about $19,970 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Costa Rica population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 5,203,192 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 5,186,235 |
| World rank | #127 of 238 |
| Rank in North America | #11 of 41 |
| Share of world population | 0.063% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.4% |
| Births per year est. | 50,306 |
| Deaths per year est. | 30,080 |
| Net migration per year est. | +1,037 |
| Birth rate | 9.7 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 5.8 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 6 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 97.6 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 35.7 years |
| Life expectancy | 81.4 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.3 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 79.7% |
| Surface area 2023 | 51,100 km² |
| Population density | 102 per km² |
| Capital | San Jose |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $102.90B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $19,970 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Costa Rica population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 5,203,192 | – | – |
| 2025 | 5,152,950 | +23,040 | +0.4% |
| 2024 | 5,129,910 | +24,385 | +0.5% |
| 2023 | 5,105,525 | +23,760 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | 5,081,765 | +21,777 | +0.4% |
| 2021 | 5,059,988 | +25,668 | +0.5% |
| 2020 | 5,034,320 | +216,282 | +0.9% |
| 2015 | 4,818,038 | +262,076 | +1.1% |
| 2010 | 4,555,962 | +294,722 | +1.3% |
| 2005 | 4,261,240 | +323,501 | +1.6% |
| 2000 | 3,937,739 | +402,563 | +2.2% |
| 1995 | 3,535,176 | +413,470 | +2.5% |
| 1990 | 3,121,706 | +379,812 | +2.6% |
| 1985 | 2,741,894 | +351,261 | +2.8% |
| 1980 | 2,390,633 | +297,914 | +2.7% |
| 1975 | 2,092,719 | +253,770 | +2.6% |
| 1970 | 1,838,949 | +252,741 | +3% |
| 1965 | 1,586,208 | +258,712 | +3.6% |
| 1960 | 1,327,496 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Costa Rica
Population over time
- From 1,327,496 in 1960 to 5,203,192 today — up 292%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +0.7% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 81 years (2024), up 17.5 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.3 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 10 births vs 5.6 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 4.4 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 18.3% of the population is under 15 and 12.8% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 3% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 8.38 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 1.63 t in 2024, vs 0.78 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 1,024.3 kg of oil equivalent per person (2024), up 90.7% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 34.2% of final energy in 2021 (-11.2 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 60.4% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 56.9% to 60.4% since 1990 — roughly 1,767 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 79.7% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 34.1% in 1960 (+45.6 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1992.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 3.1% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 22,236 m³ in 2022, down 72.9% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $102.90B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 82.3% since 2015.
- That works out to $19,970 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 6.8% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: -0.1% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 87.2% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 136 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Costa Rica in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Costa Rica in 2026?
As of October 2026, Costa Rica has an estimated population of 5,203,192. The United Nations estimated 5,186,235 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.4% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Costa Rica growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.4% per year — roughly 58 more people every day. Each year there are about 50,306 births and 30,080 deaths, with net migration of +1,037.
What is the population density of Costa Rica?
About 102 people per square kilometre: 5,203,192 people living on 51,100 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Costa Rica?
The median age is 35.7 years, and life expectancy at birth is 81.4 years. 18.3% of the population is under 15 and 12.8% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Costa Rica rank by population?
Costa Rica is the 127th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 11th in North America, with 0.063% of the global population.
How has the population of Costa Rica changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 1,327,496; by 2025 it had grown to 5,152,950 (+288.2%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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MauritaniaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.4%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.