Costa Rica Industry Employment
Employment in industry SL.IND.EMPL.ZS
Costa Rica's industry employment was 18.48% in 2025, ranked 83rd globally. This represents a 0.7% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Costa Rica's industry employment stood at 18.48% in 2025, a decline of +0.13% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 19.20% by 2026. Costa Rica ranked 83rd globally.
Costa Rica’s share of employment in industry fell from an all‑time peak of 26.57 percent in 1991 to a trough of 15.91 percent in 2013, reflecting a long‑term structural shift toward services and agriculture. By 2025 the proportion had risen modestly to 18.48 percent, placing the country 83rd globally and positioning it near peers such as Rwanda (18.41 percent) and Libya (18.63 percent) in the same ranking. The 35‑year series shows a steady decline through the 1990s and early 2000s, a bottoming out in the early 2010s, and a gradual rebound in the last decade, driven partly by modest growth in manufacturing, food processing and renewable‑energy projects. Continued investment in higher‑value industrial activities and integration into regional supply chains could accelerate the upward trend, while a resurgence of low‑skill manufacturing or adverse trade conditions might stall further progress.
Data & projection
| Year | Industry Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 19.48% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 19.34% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 19.20% | - | - |
| 2025 | 18.48% | −0.13% | #83 |
| 2024 | 18.61% | −1.60% | #84 |
| 2023 | 20.21% | +1.24% | #107 |
| 2022 | 18.97% | +1.39% | #89 |
| 2021 | 17.58% | −0.49% | #74 |
| 2020 | 18.08% | −0.02% | #80 |
| 2019 | 18.09% | −0.82% | #79 |
| 2018 | 18.92% | +1.04% | #89 |
| 2017 | 17.88% | −0.10% | #79 |
| 2016 | 17.97% | −0.49% | #79 |
| 2015 | 18.46% | +1.43% | #83 |
| 2014 | 17.03% | +1.12% | #69 |
| 2013 | 15.91% | −1.61% | #57 |
| 2012 | 17.52% | −1.04% | #76 |
| 2011 | 18.56% | −0.13% | #83 |
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 industry employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Costa Rica's industry employment was 18.48% in 2025. Ranked 83rd globally. This represents a 0.7% decrease from the previous year.
Costa Rica's industry employment peaked at 26.57% in 1991.
The lowest industry employment in Costa Rica was 15.91% in 2013.
Costa Rica ranks 83rd globally in industry employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.IND.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Costa Rica's industry employment is projected to reach 19.20% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The industry employment of Costa Rica in 2025 was 18.48%. This ranks 83rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_costa-rica_industry-employment,
title = {Costa Rica Industry Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/costa-rica/industry-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}