Costa Rica Poverty Rate
Poverty headcount ratio at $2.15/day SI.POV.DDAY
Costa Rica's poverty rate was 0.53% in 2025, ranked 41st globally. This represents a 59.2% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1981–2025.
Overview
Costa Rica's poverty rate stood at 0.53% in 2025, a decline of +0.77pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.53% by 2025. Costa Rica ranked 41st globally.
Costa Rica’s poverty rate has fallen dramatically over the 39‑year series compiled by the World Bank, dropping from an all‑time peak of 33.50 % in 1981 to a trough of 0.53 % in 2025, the lowest figure among 41 countries measured globally. This decline represents a reduction of more than 99 % in the share of the population living below the national poverty line, a pace unmatched by most peers. By contrast, Vietnam records a similar low of 0.52 % and Argentina 0.64 % in the same year, underscoring Costa Rica’s position near the bottom of the international ranking. The steep downward trajectory coincides with sustained social investment, expansion of universal health coverage, and a diversified export sector that together have bolstered household incomes. Maintaining this progress will depend on preserving fiscal space for social programs, strengthening labor market resilience, and mitigating external shocks that could reverse the gains achieved in recent decades.
Data & projection
| Year | Poverty Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | -0.45% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 0.04% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.53% | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.53% | −0.77pp | #41 |
| 2024 | 1.30% | −0.20pp | #4 |
| 2023 | 1.50% | −0.10pp | #33 |
| 2022 | 1.60% | −0.60pp | #39 |
| 2021 | 2.20% | −1.20pp | #50 |
| 2020 | 3.40% | +1.70pp | #55 |
| 2019 | 1.70% | −0.60pp | #48 |
| 2018 | 2.30% | +0.60pp | #56 |
| 2017 | 1.70% | −0.70pp | #50 |
| 2016 | 2.40% | +0.00pp | #52 |
| 2015 | 2.40% | +0.00pp | #48 |
| 2014 | 2.40% | −0.20pp | #46 |
| 2013 | 2.60% | +0.00pp | #50 |
| 2012 | 2.60% | −0.10pp | #51 |
| 2011 | 2.70% | +0.50pp | #52 |
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 poverty rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Costa Rica's poverty rate was 0.53% in 2025. Ranked 41st globally. This represents a 59.2% decrease from the previous year.
Costa Rica's poverty rate peaked at 33.50% in 1981.
The lowest poverty rate in Costa Rica was 0.53% in 2025.
Costa Rica ranks 41st globally in poverty rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.POV.DDAY. Data sourced from World Bank.
Costa Rica's poverty rate is projected to reach 0.53% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The poverty rate of Costa Rica in 2025 was 0.53%. This ranks 41st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_costa-rica_poverty-rate,
title = {Costa Rica Poverty Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/costa-rica/poverty-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}