Literacy Rate: Costa Rica

Analysis# Costa Rica Literacy Rate Costa Rica achieved a literacy rate of 97.41% in 2011, matching its all-time peak and representing a substantial 5.2 percentage point gain since 1984, when the rate stood at 92.63%. The country's educational progress has been consistent and measurable across nearly three decades, with literacy rates climbing steadily from the mid-80s baseline through the early 2010s. The most significant acceleration occurred between 1984 and 2000, during which Costa Rica gained 2.24 percentage points, followed by a 2.54 percentage point increase through 2011. This upward momentum demonstrates a sustained commitment to expanding access to education and reducing illiteracy across the population. With literacy rates exceeding 97%, Costa Rica ranks among the highest in the region.