Costa Rica Fertility Rate
Total fertility rate SP.DYN.TFRT.IN
Costa Rica's fertility rate was 1.15 in 2025, ranked 199th globally. This represents a 13.4% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Costa Rica's fertility rate stood at 1.15 in 2025, a decline of +0.18 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.15 by 2025. Costa Rica ranked 199th globally.
Costa Rica's fertility rate has exhibited a significant decline over the past six and a half decades, with a notable drop from 6.71 children per woman in 1960 to 1.15 in 2025. This represents a substantial decrease of 5.56 children per woman, ranking Costa Rica 199th globally in terms of fertility rate. In comparison, Estonia, a peer country, experienced a similarly sharp decline, with a fertility rate of 1.17 children per woman in 2025. Costa Rica's fertility rate has been trending downward since the 1960 peak, with a relatively stable decline in recent years. The country's fertility rate has been below replacement level since 1995, indicating a shrinking population. This trend is consistent with many developed countries, where economic development and urbanization often lead to lower fertility rates. A continued decline in fertility rates may be expected if economic conditions and urbanization continue to shape the country's demographics, potentially leading to a further decrease in population size.
Data & projection
| Year | Fertility Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 1.09 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.15 | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.15 | −0.18 | #199 |
| 2023 | 1.33 | −0.00 | #29 |
| 2022 | 1.34 | −0.02 | #27 |
| 2021 | 1.35 | −0.10 | #20 |
| 2020 | 1.45 | −0.15 | #36 |
| 2019 | 1.60 | −0.11 | #62 |
| 2018 | 1.71 | −0.01 | #69 |
| 2017 | 1.71 | −0.03 | #69 |
| 2016 | 1.75 | −0.05 | #71 |
| 2015 | 1.80 | −0.00 | #72 |
| 2014 | 1.80 | +0.02 | #69 |
| 2013 | 1.78 | −0.07 | #66 |
| 2012 | 1.85 | −0.03 | #68 |
| 2011 | 1.88 | +0.05 | #69 |
| 2010 | 1.83 | −0.13 | #61 |
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 fertility rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Costa Rica's fertility rate was 1.15 in 2025. Ranked 199th globally. This represents a 13.4% decrease from the previous year.
Costa Rica's fertility rate peaked at 6.71 in 1960.
The lowest fertility rate in Costa Rica was 1.15 in 2025.
Costa Rica ranks 199th globally in fertility rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.DYN.TFRT.IN. Data sourced from World Bank.
Costa Rica's fertility rate is projected to reach 1.15 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The fertility rate of Costa Rica in 2025 was 1.15. This ranks 199th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_costa-rica_fertility-rate,
title = {Costa Rica Fertility Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/costa-rica/fertility-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}