Urban Population: Costa Rica
Costa Rica's urban population is currently 79.3% as of 2024. # Costa Rica Urban Population Costa Rica's urban population reached 79.
Current (2024)
79.3%
+0.5% y/y
Peak (2024)
79.3%
Low (1960)
34.1%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Costa Rica
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Costa Rica
Analysis# Costa Rica Urban Population
Costa Rica's urban population reached 79.311% in 2024, marking an all-time high and reflecting a dramatic demographic shift over the past six decades. Since 1960, when only 34.105% of the population lived in urban areas, the country has experienced a 132.5% increase in urbanization. This trajectory places Costa Rica among Latin America's most urbanized nations, with urban dwellers now comprising roughly four-fifths of the total population.
The consistent upward trend accelerated after 2015, with annual growth averaging 0.5 percentage points from 2015 to 2024. Each year from 2015 onward showed measurable increases, rising from 75.02% to the current 79.311%. This steady progression suggests urbanization continues as a dominant demographic force in Costa Rica, likely driven by economic opportunities in metropolitan areas and ongoing rural-to-urban migration patterns.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 79.3% | +0.54% |
| 2023 | 78.9% | +0.56% |
| 2022 | 78.4% | +0.58% |
| 2021 | 78.0% | +0.60% |
| 2020 | 77.5% | +0.62% |
| 2019 | 77.0% | +0.64% |
| 2018 | 76.6% | +0.66% |
| 2017 | 76.1% | +0.68% |
| 2016 | 75.5% | +0.70% |
| 2015 | 75.0% | +0.72% |
| 2014 | 74.5% | +0.74% |
| 2013 | 73.9% | +0.75% |
| 2012 | 73.4% | +0.75% |
| 2011 | 72.8% | +1.87% |
| 2010 | 71.5% | +1.95% |
| 2009 | 70.1% | +1.96% |
| 2008 | 68.8% | +1.96% |
| 2007 | 67.5% | +1.96% |
| 2006 | 66.2% | +1.96% |
| 2005 | 64.9% | +1.95% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 63.7% | +1.93% |
| 2003 | 62.5% | +1.91% |
| 2002 | 61.3% | +1.89% |
| 2001 | 60.1% | +1.86% |
| 2000 | 59.0% | +1.87% |
| 1999 | 58.0% | +1.92% |
| 1998 | 56.9% | +1.97% |
| 1997 | 55.8% | +2.00% |
| 1996 | 54.7% | +2.02% |
| 1995 | 53.6% | +2.03% |
| 1994 | 52.5% | +2.02% |
| 1993 | 51.5% | +2.00% |
| 1992 | 50.5% | +1.96% |
| 1991 | 49.5% | +1.91% |
| 1990 | 48.6% | +1.83% |
| 1989 | 47.7% | +1.74% |
| 1988 | 46.9% | +1.62% |
| 1987 | 46.1% | +1.48% |
| 1986 | 45.5% | +1.33% |
| 1985 | 44.9% | +1.15% |
| 1984 | 44.4% | +1.00% |
| 1983 | 43.9% | +0.88% |
| 1982 | 43.5% | +0.79% |
| 1981 | 43.2% | +0.72% |
| 1980 | 42.9% | +0.68% |
| 1979 | 42.6% | +0.66% |
| 1978 | 42.3% | +0.67% |
| 1977 | 42.0% | +0.71% |
| 1976 | 41.7% | +0.77% |
| 1975 | 41.4% | +0.87% |
| 1974 | 41.1% | +0.99% |
| 1973 | 40.7% | +1.25% |
| 1972 | 40.2% | +1.59% |
| 1971 | 39.5% | +1.85% |
| 1970 | 38.8% | +2.03% |
| 1969 | 38.0% | +2.11% |
| 1968 | 37.3% | +2.09% |
| 1967 | 36.5% | +1.95% |
| 1966 | 35.8% | +1.68% |
| 1965 | 35.2% | +1.30% |
| 1964 | 34.8% | +0.77% |
| 1963 | 34.5% | +0.41% |
| 1962 | 34.3% | +0.37% |
| 1961 | 34.2% | +0.34% |
| 1960 | 34.1% | — |
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