Infant Mortality Rate: Costa Rica
Costa Rica's infant mortality rate is currently 9.1 per 1,000 births as of 2024. # Costa Rica Infant Mortality Rate Costa Rica recorded 9.
Current (2024)
9.1 per 1,000 births
+3.4% y/y
Peak (1960)
70.8 per 1,000 births
Low (2016)
7.7 per 1,000 births
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Infant Mortality Rate — Costa Rica
1960 — 2024
Infant Mortality Rate — Costa Rica
Analysis# Costa Rica Infant Mortality Rate
Costa Rica recorded 9.1 infant deaths per 1,000 births in 2024, reflecting a dramatic 87.1% decline since 1960, when the rate peaked at 70.8. The country achieved its lowest rate of 7.7 in 2016, demonstrating the sustained success of its public health infrastructure and universal healthcare system. From the 1960s through the mid-2010s, Costa Rica consistently outperformed regional and global averages, establishing itself as a health leader in Latin America.
A notable inflection point occurred after 2016. The all-time low of 7.7 marked the beginning of a gradual upward trend, with rates climbing steadily through 2024. Year-over-year increases have occurred in nine consecutive years, rising 1.4 points from 2016 to present. This reversal suggests emerging pressures on maternal and infant health outcomes, warranting closer examination of recent policy changes and healthcare access challenges.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9.1 per 1,000 births | +3.41% |
| 2023 | 8.8 per 1,000 births | +2.33% |
| 2022 | 8.6 per 1,000 births | +3.61% |
| 2021 | 8.3 per 1,000 births | +2.47% |
| 2020 | 8.1 per 1,000 births | +2.53% |
| 2019 | 7.9 per 1,000 births | +1.28% |
| 2018 | 7.8 per 1,000 births | +1.30% |
| 2017 | 7.7 per 1,000 births | +0.00% |
| 2016 | 7.7 per 1,000 births | -1.28% |
| 2015 | 7.8 per 1,000 births | -2.50% |
| 2014 | 8 per 1,000 births | -2.44% |
| 2013 | 8.2 per 1,000 births | -3.53% |
| 2012 | 8.5 per 1,000 births | -3.41% |
| 2011 | 8.8 per 1,000 births | -2.22% |
| 2010 | 9 per 1,000 births | -2.17% |
| 2009 | 9.2 per 1,000 births | -2.13% |
| 2008 | 9.4 per 1,000 births | -1.05% |
| 2007 | 9.5 per 1,000 births | -1.04% |
| 2006 | 9.6 per 1,000 births | -1.03% |
| 2005 | 9.7 per 1,000 births | -2.02% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 9.9 per 1,000 births | -1.98% |
| 2003 | 10.1 per 1,000 births | -2.88% |
| 2002 | 10.4 per 1,000 births | -3.70% |
| 2001 | 10.8 per 1,000 births | -3.57% |
| 2000 | 11.2 per 1,000 births | -4.27% |
| 1999 | 11.7 per 1,000 births | -3.31% |
| 1998 | 12.1 per 1,000 births | -2.42% |
| 1997 | 12.4 per 1,000 births | -1.59% |
| 1996 | 12.6 per 1,000 births | -0.79% |
| 1995 | 12.7 per 1,000 births | -1.55% |
| 1994 | 12.9 per 1,000 births | -1.53% |
| 1993 | 13.1 per 1,000 births | -2.24% |
| 1992 | 13.4 per 1,000 births | -2.90% |
| 1991 | 13.8 per 1,000 births | -4.17% |
| 1990 | 14.4 per 1,000 births | -5.26% |
| 1989 | 15.2 per 1,000 births | -5.00% |
| 1988 | 16 per 1,000 births | -5.88% |
| 1987 | 17 per 1,000 births | -5.03% |
| 1986 | 17.9 per 1,000 births | -3.76% |
| 1985 | 18.6 per 1,000 births | -2.11% |
| 1984 | 19 per 1,000 births | -1.04% |
| 1983 | 19.2 per 1,000 births | -0.52% |
| 1982 | 19.3 per 1,000 births | -1.53% |
| 1981 | 19.6 per 1,000 births | -4.39% |
| 1980 | 20.5 per 1,000 births | -7.24% |
| 1979 | 22.1 per 1,000 births | -10.16% |
| 1978 | 24.6 per 1,000 births | -12.46% |
| 1977 | 28.1 per 1,000 births | -13.27% |
| 1976 | 32.4 per 1,000 births | -13.37% |
| 1975 | 37.4 per 1,000 births | -12.00% |
| 1974 | 42.5 per 1,000 births | -10.53% |
| 1973 | 47.5 per 1,000 births | -9.00% |
| 1972 | 52.2 per 1,000 births | -7.28% |
| 1971 | 56.3 per 1,000 births | -5.54% |
| 1970 | 59.6 per 1,000 births | -3.87% |
| 1969 | 62 per 1,000 births | -3.13% |
| 1968 | 64 per 1,000 births | -2.74% |
| 1967 | 65.8 per 1,000 births | -2.66% |
| 1966 | 67.6 per 1,000 births | -1.74% |
| 1965 | 68.8 per 1,000 births | -0.72% |
| 1964 | 69.3 per 1,000 births | +0.00% |
| 1963 | 69.3 per 1,000 births | +0.14% |
| 1962 | 69.2 per 1,000 births | -0.29% |
| 1961 | 69.4 per 1,000 births | -1.98% |
| 1960 | 70.8 per 1,000 births | — |
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