Costa Rica Dependency Ratio
Age dependency ratio (% of working-age population) SP.POP.DPND
Costa Rica's dependency ratio was 44.84 in 2025, ranked 179th globally. This represents a 0.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Costa Rica's dependency ratio stood at 44.84 in 2025, a decline of +0.14 from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 44.84 by 2025. Costa Rica ranked 179th globally.
Costa Rica's dependency ratio has exhibited a significant decline over the years, with a notable shift from an all-time peak of 99.00 in 1963 to a current value of 44.84 in 2025, ranking #179 globally. This reduction in the proportion of dependents to working-age individuals is largely attributed to advancements in education and healthcare, leading to improved life expectancy and fertility rates. A comparison with peer countries reveals that Costa Rica's current dependency ratio is comparable to that of Belize, which holds a slightly higher value of 44.91. The country's efforts to promote education and family planning have contributed to this positive trend. As the population continues to age, a rise in life expectancy and a potential shift towards urbanization could further influence the dependency ratio, potentially leading to a reversal in this downward trend if not complemented by effective policy interventions to address the needs of an aging population.
Data & projection
| Year | Dependency Ratio | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 44.63 | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 44.74 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 44.84 | - | - |
| 2025 | 44.84 | −0.14 | #179 |
| 2024 | 44.98 | −0.05 | #38 |
| 2023 | 45.03 | −0.11 | #41 |
| 2022 | 45.14 | −0.13 | #43 |
| 2021 | 45.27 | −0.12 | #44 |
| 2020 | 45.39 | −0.03 | #43 |
| 2019 | 45.42 | +0.10 | #44 |
| 2018 | 45.33 | +0.06 | #43 |
| 2017 | 45.26 | −0.08 | #42 |
| 2016 | 45.34 | −0.20 | #45 |
| 2015 | 45.54 | −0.27 | #47 |
| 2014 | 45.81 | −0.34 | #52 |
| 2013 | 46.15 | −0.38 | #53 |
| 2012 | 46.53 | −0.43 | #57 |
| 2011 | 46.96 | −0.58 | #60 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Costa Rica matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 1995. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw dependency ratio improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Costa Rica's dependency ratio was 44.84 in 2025. Ranked 179th globally. This represents a 0.3% decrease from the previous year.
Costa Rica's dependency ratio peaked at 99.00 in 1963.
The lowest dependency ratio in Costa Rica was 44.84 in 2025.
Costa Rica ranks 179th globally in dependency ratio as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.POP.DPND. Data sourced from World Bank.
Costa Rica's dependency ratio is projected to reach 44.84 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The dependency ratio of Costa Rica in 2025 was 44.84. This ranks 179th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_costa-rica_dependency-ratio,
title = {Costa Rica Dependency Ratio},
url = {https://historysaid.com/costa-rica/dependency-ratio/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}