Costa Rica has emerged as the most stable country on the Central American isthmus and has had regular Presidential transitions every four years since the 1950's and it managed to avoid involvement in the regions wars in the 1980's.

It’s economy grows at about 4% a year and growth over a number of decades has been remarkably stable. In recent decades it has made the transition from an import substitution and coffee exporting economy to an international insertion based on higher value added exports.

It has the only significant beach tourism industry on the isthmus and also attracts archaeological and eco tourism. There is also tropical agriculture. In industry it has established Zonas Francas (free trade zones) for manufacturing and it has also succeeded in attracting international interest in knowledge based manufacturing, the most high profile company to establish there being Intel.

In terms of current issues the State  fiscal deficit reached  5% of GDP a few years ago but has since fallen to 2% of GDP which is sustainable. 

Contents

Introduction

The Modern Period

The Current Era

The Modern State

Economics from the Ground Up

Political Systems

Trade Theory

The EU as a Model of Integration

Industrialisation

Synopsis

Data                                 

            World GDP                                              2018 

            World GDP PPP                                      2018

            GDP per capita ppp                              2018

            Exports  & Imports                               2018

            Container Traffic                    2010 &  2018

            Oil Production                                        2018

            Migrant Remittances                           2018

            Tourism Statistics                                 2017

            Tourism Americas                                 2017              

Latin America         

Background

The US and Latin America

Economy

The EU and Latin America

Mercosur

World Exports                                       2000-2018

Costa Rica                     

            Introduction

            Political History

            Economy

            State Finances

            Central America Tables

            Charts & Chart Commentary

Sources

68 pages