Costa Rica Economy Growth Eases in Q1 2026

Costa Rica’s economy expanded 4.55% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, slowing slightly from 4.72% growth in the previous quarter. The strongest performances were recorded in financial and insurance activities, which grew 7.56%, followed by construction (6.44%), publishing, content production, telecommunications and information services (6.08%), and professional, scientific, technical, administrative and support service activities (5.70%).

Costa Rica’s GDP expanded 4.59% year-on-year in Q4 2025, easing slightly from 4.84% in the previous quarter. Construction rebounded, rising 3.81% after a 0.57% decline in Q3. Growth also strengthened in trade (2.99% vs 2.78%), transport (7.34% vs 6.48%), restaurants and lodging (2.98% vs 1.90%), communications (4.74% vs 4.72%), real estate (4.34% vs 4.01%), and public administration (2.18% vs 2.15%). Manufacturing slowed but remained strong, increasing 10.72% after a 12.76% gain previously. Meanwhile, agriculture, forestry and fishing stayed in contraction (-0.63% vs -1.22%).

Costa Rica’s GDP expanded 5.2% year-on-year in Q2 2025, accelerating from a downwardly revised 3.7% in Q1. Growth strengthened in utilities (9.5% vs 4.5%), trade (3.5% vs 2.5%), transport (6.1% vs 5.8%), information and communication (4.3% vs 3.2%), and financial and insurance activities (5.9% vs 5.2%). By contrast, construction remained in contraction (-2.1% vs -3.5%), while agriculture, forestry, and fishing slipped into decline (-2.3% vs 1.1%).