Photo: Henry Zbyszynski from Capitola California, USA · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 06 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Costa Rica: Development & Human Capital
Is a country turning its resources into better lives?
Costa Rica is placed 70th of 196 countries on development & human capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Social Protection Coverage 59.8 (2025); Maternal Mortality Ratio 24.12 (2023).
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Development & Human Capital
70th
of 196 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Costa Rica on development & human capital — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 2 of 3
Maternal Mortality Ratio
UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
24.12
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births
Lower is better
Costa Rica: 24.12. Across the 195 countries in this edition, values run from 0.11 (Cook Islands) to 992.83 (Nigeria); the world median is 46.65.
- World median
- 46.65
- Best in Central America
- 24.12 Costa Rica
- Land neighbours
- Nicaragua 60.35 · Panama 37.01
Key 3 of 3
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
0.833
HDI score (0–1)
Higher is better
Ranked 62nd of 193 by UNDP Human Development Report Office
Costa Rica: 0.833. Across the 193 countries in this edition, values run from 0.388 (South Sudan) to 0.972 (Iceland); the world median is 0.762.
- World median
- 0.762
- Best in Central America
- 0.839 Panama
- Land neighbours
- Nicaragua 0.706 · Panama 0.839
02Over time
Which way Costa Rica is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Maternal Mortality Ratio
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births · lower is better
Costa RicaWorld median
Costa Rica fell from 35.52 in 2000 to 24.12 in 2023; the world median went from 70.99 to 46.65.
Every year’s figures
Year Costa Rica World median 2023 24.12 46.7 2022 27.42 53.0 2021 43.95 76.6 2020 34.09 56.0 2019 25.73 48.4 2018 28.37 49.3 2017 27.00 47.2 2016 27.03 50.6 2015 25.54 51.9 2014 26.57 52.8 2013 26.58 53.3 2012 27.47 54.6 2011 28.44 55.0 2010 28.84 56.1 2009 28.98 56.3 2008 29.95 55.8 2007 30.32 56.8 2006 30.10 58.1 2005 31.20 60.1 2004 32.86 63.0 2003 33.22 66.8 2002 33.99 66.0 2001 35.31 68.1 2000 35.52 71.0 Human Development Index
HDI score (0–1) · higher is better
Costa RicaWorld median
Costa Rica rose from 0.72 in 2000 to 0.833 in 2023; the world median went from 0.672 to 0.762.
Every year’s figures
Year Costa Rica World median 2023 0.833 0.7620 2022 0.823 0.7610 2021 0.817 0.7450 2020 0.819 0.7425 2019 0.821 0.7515 2018 0.813 0.7520 2017 0.809 0.7480 2016 0.805 0.7500 2015 0.803 0.7430 2014 0.802 0.7410 2013 0.795 0.7390 2012 0.789 0.7350 2011 0.783 0.7250 2010 0.776 0.7250 2009 0.773 0.7220 2008 0.769 0.7180 2007 0.760 0.7100 2006 0.755 0.7045 2005 0.748 0.6960 2004 0.741 0.6960 2003 0.736 0.6910 2002 0.730 0.6845 2001 0.726 0.6770 2000 0.720 0.6720
03In context
Costa Rica beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 196 countries on development & human capital, never a place within the region.
Costa Rica and the countries it borders
Standing among all 196; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Social Protection CoveragePopulation covered by at least one social protection benefit (%) | Maternal Mortality RatioMaternal deaths per 100,000 live births | Human Development IndexHDI score (0–1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Panama | 69th | 66.1 | 37.01 | 0.839 |
| Costa Rica | 70th | 59.8 | 24.12 | 0.833 |
 Nicaragua | 135th | 15.3 | 60.35 | 0.706 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Central America
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 196.
Placed either side on development & human capital
The countries immediately above and below Costa Rica in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Costa Rica is ahead of the world, and behind
55 more statistics filed under development & human capital, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median37
Statistics on which Costa Rica does better than the middle country measured.
Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum)MAP · 2024 · world median 8.10608.106No real change since 2014
Costa Rica: 0 · world median 8.106 · Deaths from P. falciparum malaria per 100,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 133.27; lower is better.
Statistical Performance IndicatorsWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 69.390.9869.3▲ Improved since 2016
Costa Rica: 90.98 · world median 69.3 · SPI overall score (0–100). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 27.12 to 94.14; higher is better.
Position 12th of 188 · derived.
Violent Discipline of ChildrenUNICEF · 2025 · world median 75.849.375.8No earlier reading
Costa Rica: 49.3 · world median 75.8 · Children aged 1-14 experiencing violent discipline (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 37.6 to 94; lower is better.
Position 84th of 90 · derived, 1st = worst.
Malaria Incidence (P. vivax)MAP · 2025 · world median 1.3820.0031.382▼ Worsened since 2016
Costa Rica: 0.003 · world median 1.382 · New P. vivax malaria cases per 1,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.001 to 184.62; lower is better.
Global Multidimensional Poverty IndexOPHI · 2025 · world median 0.0390.0020.039No real change since 2021
Costa Rica: 0.002 · world median 0.039 · MPI (0–1). Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 0.517; lower is better.
Position 99th of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.
Planetary pressures-adjusted HDIUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6780.7740.678▲ Improved since 2013
Costa Rica: 0.774 · world median 0.678 · PHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.276 to 0.827; higher is better.
Position 17th of 156 · derived.
Immunisation Coverage, Measles First Dose (MCV1)WUENIC · 2025 · world median 909890▲ Improved since 2015
Costa Rica: 98 · world median 90 · Infants given a first dose of measles vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 13 to 99; higher is better.
Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum)MAP · 2025 · world median 52.470.07652.47▼ Worsened since 2018
Costa Rica: 0.076 · world median 52.47 · New P. falciparum malaria cases per 1,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 334.75; lower is better.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3416.3513.34▲ Improved since 2013
Costa Rica: 16.35 · world median 13.34 · Expected years of schooling. UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 5.635 to 21.69; higher is better.
Position 39th of 195 · derived.
Life Expectancy at BirthUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 74.6380.874.63▼ Worsened since 2013
Costa Rica: 80.8 · world median 74.63 · Years a newborn would live at current death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 54.46 to 86.37; higher is better.
Position 46th of 222 · derived.
Adequacy of Social Protection and Labour BenefitsWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 18.6534.6618.65No earlier reading
Costa Rica: 34.66 · world median 18.65 · Benefits received as a share of beneficiaries' total income or consumption (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.455 to 90.86; higher is better.
Multidimensional Poverty MeasureWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 4.2520.8284.252No earlier reading
Costa Rica: 0.828 · world median 4.252 · Multidimensional poverty headcount ratio (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 87.96; lower is better.
Position 124th of 157 · derived, 1st = worst.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,230103,84825,230No real change since 2010
Costa Rica: 103,848 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 36th of 151 · derived.
Wasting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 3.5461.783.546No earlier reading
Costa Rica: 1.78 · world median 3.546 · Children under 5 who are wasted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.1 to 22.74; lower is better.
Position 125th of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Immunisation Coverage, DTP3WUENIC · 2025 · world median 919691▲ Improved since 2015
Costa Rica: 96 · world median 91 · Infants given a third dose of DTP vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 39 to 99; higher is better.
Comprehensive Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 46,486128,53446,486No real change since 2010
Costa Rica: 128,534 · world median 46,486 · National comprehensive wealth per person (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 4,276 to 1,246,092; higher is better.
Position 40th of 150 · derived.
GNI per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 14,27325,80914,273▲ Improved since 2015
Costa Rica: 25,809 · world median 14,273 · GNI per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,181 to 116,633; higher is better.
Position 30th of 102 · derived.
Stillbirth RateUN IGME · 2023 · world median 8.1634.4978.163▼ Worsened since 2013
Costa Rica: 4.497 · world median 8.163 · Stillbirths (per 1,000 total births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.18 to 34.9; lower is better.
Position 142nd of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Cereal YieldFAO · 2023 · world median 3,0724,4483,072▲ Improved since 2013
Costa Rica: 4,448 · world median 3,072 · Cereal yield (kg per hectare). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 23 to 29,147; higher is better.
Position 53rd of 179 · derived.
Human Capital IndexWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 0.5640.6290.564▲ Improved since 2010
Costa Rica: 0.629 · world median 0.564 · HCI score (0–1). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.292 to 0.879; higher is better.
Position 54th of 172 · derived.
Foundational ID OwnershipWorld Bank Group (ID4D) · 2024 · world median 94.497.8494.4▼ Worsened since 2017
Costa Rica: 97.84 · world median 94.4 · Adults who own a foundational ID (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group (ID4D), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 42.62 to 100; higher is better.
Gender Inequality IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.3510.2170.351▲ Improved since 2013
Costa Rica: 0.217 · world median 0.351 · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 0.838; lower is better.
Ranked 55th of 172 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
GDP per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 17,26528,44317,265▲ Improved since 2015
Costa Rica: 28,443 · world median 17,265 · GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,067 to 139,593; higher is better.
Position 66th of 185 · derived.
Child and Family Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 23.7544.223.75No earlier reading
Costa Rica: 44.2 · world median 23.75 · Children or households with children receiving child or family cash benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6751.5746.67No real change since 2012
Costa Rica: 51.57 · world median 46.67 · Productive Capacities Index (1–100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 17.8 to 71.02; higher is better.
Position 71st of 195 · derived.
Disability Benefit CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 43.97643.9No earlier reading
Costa Rica: 76 · world median 43.9 · People with severe disabilities receiving disability benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 13.8913.8No earlier reading
Costa Rica: 9 · world median 13.8 · Children under 5 who are stunted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.518 to 52.8; lower is better.
Position 103rd of 162 · derived, 1st = worst.
Mortality Rate, Ages 5–14UN IGME · 2024 · world median 2.8581.9682.858▼ Worsened since 2014
Costa Rica: 1.968 · world median 2.858 · Deaths between ages 5 and 14 (per 1,000 children aged 5). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.392 to 59.04; lower is better.
Position 127th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Inequality-adjusted Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6090.6780.609No real change since 2013
Costa Rica: 0.678 · world median 0.609 · IHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.226 to 0.923; higher is better.
Position 65th of 169 · derived.
Low Birthweight PrevalenceUNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates) · 2020 · world median 10.218.71710.21No real change since 2010
Costa Rica: 8.717 · world median 10.21 · Live births weighing under 2,500 g (%). UNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 3.993 to 27.44; lower is better.
Position 97th of 158 · derived, 1st = worst.
Infant Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 12.269.08112.26▼ Worsened since 2014
Costa Rica: 9.081 · world median 12.26 · Deaths before age one (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.214 to 71.87; lower is better.
Position 120th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Under-Five Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 14.5410.4114.54▼ Worsened since 2014
Costa Rica: 10.41 · world median 14.54 · Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.26 to 115.65; lower is better.
Position 120th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Gender Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.9710.9750.971▼ Worsened since 2013
Costa Rica: 0.975 · world median 0.971 · Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.407 to 1.038; higher is better.
Position 79th of 184 · derived.
Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison)GGDC · 2022 · world median 12,89015,49712,890No real change since 2012
Costa Rica: 15,497 · world median 12,890 · GDP per capita (2011 international $). Maddison Project, Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 596.39 to 149,171; higher is better.
Position 73rd of 166 · derived.
Poverty Headcount at $3.00 a Day, Line-up EstimatesWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 2.11.282.1▼ Worsened since 2014
Costa Rica: 1.28 · world median 2.1 · Population below $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP, World Bank line-up estimate (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 89.54; lower is better.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.954.145.9No earlier reading
Costa Rica: 54.1 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Neonatal Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 8.1347.3038.134▼ Worsened since 2014
Costa Rica: 7.303 · world median 8.134 · Deaths in the first 28 days (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.544 to 39.47; lower is better.
Position 108th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median14
Statistics on which Costa Rica does worse than the middle country measured.
Coefficient of Human InequalityUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 17.0517.5317.05▼ Worsened since 2013
Costa Rica: 17.53 · world median 17.05 · Coefficient of Human Inequality (%). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 4.865 to 43.08; lower is better.
Position 83rd of 169 · derived, 1st = worst.
Account Ownership at a Financial InstitutionWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 72.8371.3572.83▼ Worsened since 2014
Costa Rica: 71.35 · world median 72.83 · Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 14.83 to 99.85; higher is better.
Position 74th of 139 · derived.
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 7.8215.357.82▲ Improved since 2013
Costa Rica: 15.35 · world median 7.82 · Population below $8.30 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.07 to 93.58; lower is better.
Position 28th of 59 · derived, 1st = worst.
Prosperity GapWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 1.7542.141.754▲ Improved since 2013
Costa Rica: 2.14 · world median 1.754 · Average factor incomes must rise by to reach $28 a day. World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.406 to 12.06; lower is better.
Position 28th of 60 · derived, 1st = worst.
Poverty Severity (Squared Poverty Gap) at $3.00 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 0.1850.230.185▲ Improved since 2013
Costa Rica: 0.23 · world median 0.185 · Squared poverty gap at $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (0–100). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 9.74; lower is better.
Completeness of Birth RegistrationUNICEF · 2025 · world median 98.496.498.4No earlier reading
Costa Rica: 96.4 · world median 98.4 · Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.7 to 100; higher is better.
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10099.8100▼ Worsened since 2014
Costa Rica: 99.8 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.9338.8459.933▼ Worsened since 2013
Costa Rica: 8.845 · world median 9.933 · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.412 to 14.3; higher is better.
Position 116th of 193 · derived.
Poverty Gap at $3.00 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 0.3450.480.345▲ Improved since 2013
Costa Rica: 0.48 · world median 0.345 · Poverty gap at $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 19.95; lower is better.
Position 24th of 59 · derived, 1st = worst.
Old-Age Pension CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 80.856.980.8No earlier reading
Costa Rica: 56.9 · world median 80.8 · People above statutory pensionable age receiving an old-age pension (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $4.20 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 1.343.371.34No real change since 2013
Costa Rica: 3.37 · world median 1.34 · Population below $4.20 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 72.3; lower is better.
Position 24th of 59 · derived, 1st = worst.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10099.4100▼ Worsened since 2014
Costa Rica: 99.4 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 0.931.540.93▲ Improved since 2013
Costa Rica: 1.54 · world median 0.93 · Population below $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 54.36; lower is better.
Position 23rd of 58 · derived, 1st = worst.
Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 40.7425.2940.74No earlier reading
Costa Rica: 25.29 · world median 40.74 · Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.497 to 83.3; higher is better.
Position 109th of 136 · derived.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Child MarriageUNICEF · 2025 · world median 17.117.117.1No earlier reading
Costa Rica: 17.1 · world median 17.1 · Women 20–24 married before 18 (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 76.3; lower is better.
Position 73rd of 143 · derived, 1st = worst.
No better end3
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Children with Functional DifficultiesUNICEF · 2024 · world median 1320.813No earlier reading
Costa Rica: 20.8 · world median 13 · Children aged 5-17 with a functional difficulty (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.9 to 35.2.
Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 11.2613.5811.26Moved since 2015
Costa Rica: 13.58 · world median 11.26 · Manufacturing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.481 to 43.97.
Position 47th of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Net Official Development Assistance ReceivedOECD Development Assistance Committee · 2023 · world median 2.5790.182.579Moved since 2013
Costa Rica: 0.18 · world median 2.579 · Net ODA received (% of GNI). OECD Development Assistance Committee, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from -0.001 to 101.78.
Position 112th of 130 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Costa Rica
Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI) and Unemployment Benefit Coverage. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Development & Human Capital among Costa Rica’s 16 topics
Development & Human Capital is Costa Rica’s 10th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Peace & Security2nd of 1773/4 keys
- Gender & Equality5th of 1834/4 keys
- Energy12th of 1653/3 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties31st of 1984/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions32nd of 1944/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge53rd of 1984/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing60th of 2004/4 keys
- Economy & Innovationjoint 57th of 1764/4 keys
- Digital & Technology67th of 1984/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital70th of 1963/3 keys
- Food & Agriculture80th of 1844/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability84th of 1864/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade84th of 1774/4 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 92nd of 1824/4 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 104th of 1934/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality110th of 1593/3 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on development & human capital
The three countries placed highest of 196, and the leaders Costa Rica can most readily be measured against.
1
Cook IslandsPolynesia
1st of 196 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Benedict Adam · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
2
NorwayNorthern Europe
2nd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
DenmarkNorthern Europe
3rd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: User:Aconcagua · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Americas
Canada=27th3/3 keysHighest in Central America
Panama69th3/3 keysThis page
Costa Rica70th3/3 keys
Positions out of 196 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Costa Rica and development & human capital
On development & human capital
Global Hunger Index 2025: Countries with the Most Alarming Hunger Crisis
Thirteen countries scored across four editions — 2000, 2008, 2016 and 2025 — and five the report could not score at all. DR Congo and South Sudan share 121st place on 37.5.
On development & human capital
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.
08Questions
Costa Rica on development & human capital: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Costa Rica rank on development & human capital?
Costa Rica is placed 70th of 196 countries on Development & Human Capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics (Social Protection Coverage, Maternal Mortality Ratio and Human Development Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Social Protection Coverage figure for Costa Rica?
59.8 in 2025 (population covered by at least one social protection benefit (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 52.1.
What is the latest Maternal Mortality Ratio figure for Costa Rica?
24.12 in 2023 (maternal deaths per 100,000 live births), according to UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG). The world median in the same edition was 46.65.
How does Costa Rica compare with Nicaragua on development & human capital?
Nicaragua is placed 135th of 196, and Costa Rica 70th. Social Protection Coverage: Nicaragua 15.3, Costa Rica 59.8; Maternal Mortality Ratio: Nicaragua 60.35, Costa Rica 24.12; Human Development Index: Nicaragua 0.706, Costa Rica 0.833.
How have Costa Rica’s development & human capital figures changed?
Maternal Mortality Ratio fell from 35.52 in 2000 to 24.12 in 2023; Human Development Index rose from 0.72 in 2000 to 0.833 in 2023.
Which development & human capital statistics are missing for Costa Rica?
No current reading is published for Costa Rica on Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI) and Unemployment Benefit Coverage. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Poverty lines, inequality and aid received are published here as context rather than as keys, often because they cover fewer countries or are measured too rarely. Development is also not the same as economic size or growth, which belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Development & Human Capital standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.
The development & human capital method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Social Protection Coverage — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Maternal Mortality Ratio — UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Human Development Index — UNDP Human Development Report Office, CC BY 3.0 IGO
The other 55 statistics on this page come from 16 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Costa Rica’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Costa Rica (banner) — Henry Zbyszynski from Capitola California, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Cook Islands — Benedict Adam, CC BY 2.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Denmark — User:Aconcagua, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Costa Rica: Development & Human Capital — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/costa-rica/development