At a glance: Costa Rica

Background

This map does not reflect a position by UNICEF on the legal status of any country or territory or the delimitation of any frontiers.

Costa Rica has achieved a high level of human development, but strong social indicators nationwide mask serious geographic disparities. Children are particularly vulnerable in the most disadvantaged regions, which exhibit higher rates of infant mortality and school drop-out. 

Issues facing children in Costa Rica

• Ninety-nine per cent of births are attended by medical staff in hospitals, where birth registration is immediate.
• Costa Rica has maintained high national rates of immunization coverage.
• Net primary school enrolment rates are above 80 per cent, and two thirds of young people complete secondary school. 
• Teenage mothers account for 20 per cent of all births.

Activities and results for children

• UNICEF provides extensive assistance to PANI, the government agency responsible for children’s issues and child protection. This support has enabled PANI to open 13 new local offices around the country and hire 95 new local child protection officials.
• UNICEF has provided the Government with sophisticated software tools and detailed research studies to improve the focus and efficiency of social programmes. With public investment now effectively targeting the most urgent needs, the poverty rate has fallen in Costa Rica’s two most disadvantaged regions. 
• Individual citizens continue to mobilize on behalf of children, forming some 270 local child protection committees country-wide. The initiative was recently expanded to encompass indigenous communities for the first time. 
• UNICEF partnered with the Catholic Church and the national media to promote messages about children’s rights.
• After severe floods struck in January and October 2005, the ‘Return to Joy’ initiative provided psychosocial support to 1,190 children and teens in relocation shelters. Dozens of counsellors and young people have been trained to respond to future emergencies in flood-prone regions.