Costa Rica has experienced steady population growth over the past several decades, though the rate of increase has slowed in recent years. In the mid-20th century, the country saw a population boom due to improvements in healthcare and living conditions, leading to higher birth rates and lower mortality rates. However, since the 1980s, Costa Rica’s population growth rate has gradually declined as a result of increased urbanization, greater access to education, and widespread use of family planning. As of 2024, Costa Rica’s population is estimated to be around 5.2 million people, with annual growth rates now below 1%. This demographic transition has resulted in an aging population and new social and economic challenges for the country.
| Year | Population | Population Density Per Square KM |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 866,982 | 17 |
| 1955 | 1,031,782 | 20.2 |
| 1960 | 1,248,022 | 24.4 |
| 1965 | 1,487,605 | 29.1 |
| 1970 | 1,735,523 | 34 |
| 1975 | 1,991,580 | 39 |
| 1980 | 2,299,124 | 45 |
| 1985 | 2,644,306 | 51.8 |
| 1990 | 3,023,272 | 59.2 |
| 1995 | 3,444,735 | 67.5 |
| 2000 | 3,882,582 | 76 |
| 2005 | 4,208,692 | 82.4 |
| 2010 | 4,515,673 | 88.4 |
| 2015 | 4,812,345 | 94.2 |
| 2020 | 5,096,857 | 99.8 |
| 2022 | 5,204,411 | 101.9 |
| 2023 | 5,256,612 | 102.9 |
| 2024 | 5,307,687 | 104 |
| 2025 | 5,357,562 | 104.9 |
| 2030 | 5,587,779 | 109.4 |
| 2035 | 5,785,418 | 113.3 |
| 2040 | 5,951,190 | 116.6 |
| 2045 | 6,085,892 | 119.2 |
| 2050 | 6,188,395 | 121.2 |
| 2055 | 6,259,193 | 122.6 |
| 2060 | 6,300,532 | 123.4 |
| 2065 | 6,314,086 | 123.7 |
| 2070 | 6,301,682 | 123.4 |
| 2075 | 6,265,415 | 122.7 |
| 2080 | 6,208,576 | 121.6 |
| 2085 | 6,136,997 | 120.2 |
| 2090 | 6,057,884 | 118.6 |
| 2095 | 5,976,486 | 117 |
| 2100 | 5,893,750 | 115.4 |
Data from US Census International Database