Costa Rica Primary Enrollment
School enrollment, primary (% gross) SE.PRM.ENRR
Costa Rica's primary enrollment was 104.36% in 2025, ranked 51st globally. This represents a 1.7% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2000–2025.
Overview
Costa Rica's primary enrollment stood at 104.36% in 2025, a decline of +1.80pp from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 104.36% by 2025. Costa Rica ranked 51st globally.
Costa Rica’s primary‑school enrollment rate stood at 104.36 % in 2025, placing it 51st worldwide and slightly below the Slovak Republic’s 104.52 % and Greece’s 104.16 % for the same year. The indicator has hovered above the 100 % threshold for the entire 24‑year series, reflecting the prevalence of over‑age or repeat pupils in the system. After reaching an all‑time high of 110.96 % in 2009, enrollment gradually receded to a trough of 103.22 % in 2017 before stabilising in the low‑104 % range. The modest decline from the 2009 peak suggests that policy reforms aimed at reducing repetition and improving transition to secondary education have had a measurable impact, yet the persistence of enrollment rates above full capacity signals ongoing challenges in demographic pressures and resource allocation. Continued investment in early‑grade quality and targeted retention programmes will be crucial to sustain the modest upward trajectory observed since the 2017 low.
Data & projection
| Year | Primary Enrollment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 103.61% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 104.36% | - | - |
| 2025 | 104.36% | −1.80pp | #51 |
| 2023 | 106.16% | −0.04pp | #36 |
| 2022 | 106.20% | −0.99pp | #35 |
| 2021 | 107.19% | −1.10pp | #27 |
| 2020 | 108.29% | −0.54pp | #26 |
| 2019 | 108.83% | +3.32pp | #27 |
| 2018 | 105.51% | +2.30pp | #40 |
| 2017 | 103.22% | −1.38pp | #61 |
| 2016 | 104.60% | +0.85pp | #58 |
| 2015 | 103.75% | −0.25pp | #65 |
| 2014 | 104.01% | −1.42pp | #66 |
| 2013 | 105.43% | −2.12pp | #59 |
| 2012 | 107.54% | −1.15pp | #49 |
| 2011 | 108.69% | −1.23pp | #51 |
| 2010 | 109.93% | −1.04pp | #47 |
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 primary enrollment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Costa Rica's primary enrollment was 104.36% in 2025. Ranked 51st globally. This represents a 1.7% decrease from the previous year.
Costa Rica's primary enrollment peaked at 110.96% in 2009.
The lowest primary enrollment in Costa Rica was 103.22% in 2017.
Costa Rica ranks 51st globally in primary enrollment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.PRM.ENRR. Data sourced from World Bank.
Costa Rica's primary enrollment is projected to reach 104.36% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The primary enrollment of Costa Rica in 2025 was 104.36%. This ranks 51st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_costa-rica_primary-enrollment,
title = {Costa Rica Primary Enrollment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/costa-rica/primary-enrollment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}