Economic Activities in Costa Rica: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary

Key Economic Insights: The economy of Costa Rica generates an estimated GDP of $102.9 billion ($19,970 per capita) supporting a population of 5.15 million. Productive output is anchored by 69.2% services, 19.9% industry and manufacturing, and 3.4% agriculture and natural resource extraction.

Costa Rica, with a population of approximately 5.15 million (2025), is located in Central America and covers 51,100 sq. km.

Costa Rica’s GDP reached $102.9 billion in 2023, rising to $95.35 billion in 2025, according to the World Bank. GDP per capita stood at approximately $19,970 in 2023 and $18,587 in 2025. Costa Rica’s economy demonstrates consistent growth, driven by its services sector, high-tech medical device exports, and tourism industry.

Table of Contents

Costa Rica Economic Structure & Sector Analysis

Economic Dimension	Figure	Authoritative Source
GDP & Macro Output	Nominal GDP: $102.9 billion \| Per Capita: $19,970	World Bank WDI / IMF
Sector Breakdown	Services: 69.2% \| Industry: 19.9% \| Agriculture: 3.4%	World Bank National Accounts
Demographics & Labor	Population: 5.15 million	ILO / UN Population Division

Primary activities: approximately 3.4% of GDP (2025).
Secondary activities: approximately 19.9% of GDP (2025).
Tertiary activities: approximately 69.2% of GDP (2025).

Costa Rica economy by sector

Share of GDP, 2025, compared with the world average

Services make up the largest part of the economy, at 69.2% of GDP in 2025. Agriculture’s share is close to the world average of 4.1%, and industry’s share is below the world’s 25.4%. Data: World Bank, World Development Indicators (value added by sector, % of GDP). The three shares do not add up to exactly 100% because GDP also includes taxes on products minus subsidies.

Primary Sector of Costa Rica

With approximately 35% of the land dedicated to agriculture, the country produces a variety of crops including sugarcane, pineapples, bananas, and more. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing contributed approximately 3.6% to GDP in 2024, a share that has gradually declined as services and manufacturing have expanded. Other key products include milk, oil palm fruit, fruits, oranges, chicken, cassava, and rice.

Costa Rica’s diverse geology provides abundant natural resources, with a strong focus on hydropower. This renewable energy source reduces the economy’s reliance on fossil fuels.

Secondary Sector of Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, main industrial products include medical equipment, food processing, textiles, construction materials, fertilizers, and plastic products. These goods are produced for both domestic consumption and export markets.Manufactures accounted for 61.4% of Costa Rica’s total exports in 2023. This sector significantly contributes to the country’s economy and international trade competitiveness.

Tertiary sector of Costa Rica

San Jose street illustrating Costa Rica's tertiary service sector

The tertiary sector in Costa Rica encompasses a wide range of service-based activities aimed at enhancing productivity and meeting various needs. Some of the main tertiary activities in Costa Rica include healthcare and medical care, education and training, banking and finance, tourism and hospitality, transportation and logistics, and telecommunications.Among these, Costa Rica’s tourism industry contributes significantly to its GDP. With over 3.3 million annual arrivals, the sector thrives on the country’s natural beauty; popular destinations include the Manuel Antonio National Park and Arenal Volcano. Tourism accounts for a major share of employment.Another example of tertiary economic activity is the mobile cellular sector, with approximately 7.9 million subscriptions.

International Trade of Costa Rica

Import Activities of Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s import activities are substantial, with total imports of goods and services reaching approximately $28.9 billion in 2023, representing around 33.6% of GDP, according to World Bank balance of payments data.Costa Rica’s key imports include refined petroleum, plastic products, medical instruments, cars, and broadcasting equipment. The country’s main import partners are the US (39%), China (14%), Mexico (5%), Guatemala (3%), and Brazil (3%).

Exports Activities of Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s total exports of goods and services in 2023 amounted to approximately $34.6 billion, representing around 40% of GDP, according to World Bank balance of payments data. This reflects Costa Rica’s strong export orientation, particularly in high-value medical devices and agricultural products.Costa Rica’s export activities focus on medical instruments, orthopedic appliances, bananas, tropical fruits, and other foods. The country’s top partners include the US (40%), Netherlands (7%), Guatemala (5%), Belgium (5%), and Nicaragua (3%).

Costa Rica economy challenges

Costa Rica faces ongoing challenges including managing public debt and sustaining fiscal discipline. Despite being a regional leader in renewable energy and environmental sustainability, income inequality and poverty remain concerns. The country’s trade-oriented economy continues to expand, driven by free trade zones attracting high-tech manufacturers and service providers.

Sources

Last updated: October 2026

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Post Author

Juan David Montoya

Economist & Senior Economic Researcher. Editorial Director of EconomicActivity.org. Specializes in macroeconomic indicators, international trade flows, and economic sector taxonomy (ISIC Rev. 4). Analyzes multilateral data from the World Bank, IMF, UN Comtrade, and OECD.