Education Spending: Costa Rica
Costa Rica's education spending is currently 5.312 % of GDP as of 2023. # Costa Rica Education Spending Costa Rica allocated 5.
Current (2023)
5.312 % of GDP
-4.2% y/y
Peak (1980)
7.347 % of GDP
Low (1995)
3.353 % of GDP
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1980–2023 · 32 pts
Education Spending — Costa Rica
1980 — 2023
Education Spending — Costa Rica
Analysis# Costa Rica Education Spending
Costa Rica allocated 5.312% of its GDP to education in 2023, marking a significant decline from its 1980 peak of 7.347%. The country has reduced education spending by 27.7% over four decades, though the current level remains well above the 1995 low of 3.353%. This downward shift reflects changing budget priorities and fiscal constraints over the long term.
A sharp decline began after 2017, when spending reached 7.07%, the highest level in recent years. From 2018 onward, education funding contracted consistently, falling from 6.77% to 5.312% by 2023—a drop of 1.46 percentage points in just five years. The accelerating downtrend suggests ongoing pressure on Costa Rica's education budget and raises questions about the country's long-term commitment to human capital development.
Historical Data
32 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5.312 % of GDP | -4.24% |
| 2022 | 5.547 % of GDP | -11.22% |
| 2021 | 6.248 % of GDP | -5.75% |
| 2020 | 6.629 % of GDP | -1.62% |
| 2019 | 6.738 % of GDP | -0.47% |
| 2018 | 6.77 % of GDP | -4.24% |
| 2017 | 7.07 % of GDP | +2.55% |
| 2016 | 6.894 % of GDP | +0.31% |
| 2015 | 6.873 % of GDP | +2.89% |
| 2014 | 6.68 % of GDP | -0.10% |
| 2013 | 6.687 % of GDP | +1.60% |
| 2012 | 6.582 % of GDP | +3.17% |
| 2011 | 6.38 % of GDP | -2.83% |
| 2010 | 6.566 % of GDP | +9.25% |
| 2009 | 6.01 % of GDP | +22.98% |
| 2008 | 4.887 % of GDP | +5.46% |
| 2007 | 4.634 % of GDP | +0.39% |
| 2006 | 4.616 % of GDP | -5.62% |
| 2004 | 4.891 % of GDP | -4.73% |
| 2003 | 5.134 % of GDP | -0.31% |
Show all 32 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 5.15 % of GDP | +6.58% |
| 2001 | 4.832 % of GDP | +3.54% |
| 2000 | 4.667 % of GDP | -13.48% |
| 1999 | 5.394 % of GDP | +38.63% |
| 1996 | 3.891 % of GDP | +16.05% |
| 1995 | 3.353 % of GDP | -17.78% |
| 1989 | 4.078 % of GDP | +1.62% |
| 1988 | 4.013 % of GDP | -9.21% |
| 1986 | 4.42 % of GDP | -10.85% |
| 1983 | 4.958 % of GDP | +1.49% |
| 1982 | 4.885 % of GDP | -33.51% |
| 1980 | 7.347 % of GDP | — |
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