Costa Rica Population: How Many People Live in Costa Rica?
Historical Population Data (1960-2024)
What is the population of Costa Rica? The current Costa Rica population is 5 129 910 people in 2024. Costa Rica has experienced significant growth in population over the past six decades. From 1 327 496 people in 1960, the population has grown to 5 129 910 in 2023, representing a growth of 3 802 414 people (+286.4%).
The country reached its peak population of 5 129 910 in 2024, after which population levels began to stabilize. This historical data provides valuable insights into Costa Rica's demographic evolution and long-term population trends.
Current Population (2024)
Population in 1960
Total Growth
Peak Population
📈 Population Trend of Costa Rica (1960-2024)
This interactive chart visualizes Costa Rica's population growth over more than six decades, from 1960 to 2024. The trend line shows how the country's total population has changed year by year, making it easy to identify periods of rapid growth, stability, or decline.
Hover over any point on the chart to see the exact population figure for that specific year. The data is sourced from World Bank (updated: 10/7/2025) and provides a comprehensive historical view of demographic changes in Costa Rica.
📊 Costa Rica Population by Decade
|
Year
|
Population
|
Change from Previous Decade
|
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 1 327 496 | |
| 1970 | 1 838 949 | +511 453 (+38.5%) |
| 1980 | 2 390 633 | +551 684 (+30.0%) |
| 1990 | 3 121 706 | +731 073 (+30.6%) |
| 2000 | 3 937 739 | +816 033 (+26.1%) |
| 2010 | 4 555 962 | +618 223 (+15.7%) |
| 2020 | 5 034 320 | +478 358 (+10.5%) |
| 2024 | 5 129 910 | +95 590 (+1.9%) |
This table presents Costa Rica's population data at key 10-year intervals, providing a clear overview of long-term demographic trends. Each row shows the population count for a specific decade, along with the absolute and percentage change from the previous data point.
By examining these decade-by-decade changes, you can quickly identify major demographic shifts and understand the overall growth pattern of Costa Rica without getting into year-by-year details.
📅 Complete Historical Data of Costa Rica (1960-2024)
|
Year
|
Population
|
Annual Change
|
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 1 327 496 | |
| 1961 | 1 377 920 | +50 424 |
| 1962 | 1 429 445 | +51 525 |
| 1963 | 1 481 604 | +52 159 |
| 1964 | 1 533 960 | +52 356 |
| 1965 | 1 586 208 | +52 248 |
| 1966 | 1 638 116 | +51 908 |
| 1967 | 1 689 523 | +51 407 |
| 1968 | 1 739 731 | +50 208 |
| 1969 | 1 789 276 | +49 545 |
| 1970 | 1 838 949 | +49 673 |
| 1971 | 1 888 539 | +49 590 |
| 1972 | 1 938 248 | +49 709 |
| 1973 | 1 988 343 | +50 095 |
| 1974 | 2 039 643 | +51 300 |
| 1975 | 2 092 719 | +53 076 |
| 1976 | 2 147 774 | +55 055 |
| 1977 | 2 205 025 | +57 251 |
| 1978 | 2 264 510 | +59 485 |
| 1979 | 2 326 490 | +61 980 |
| 1980 | 2 390 633 | +64 143 |
| 1981 | 2 456 637 | +66 004 |
| 1982 | 2 524 806 | +68 169 |
| 1983 | 2 595 153 | +70 347 |
| 1984 | 2 667 595 | +72 442 |
| 1985 | 2 741 894 | +74 299 |
| 1986 | 2 817 216 | +75 322 |
| 1987 | 2 892 699 | +75 483 |
| 1988 | 2 968 103 | +75 404 |
| 1989 | 3 043 827 | +75 724 |
| 1990 | 3 121 706 | +77 879 |
| 1991 | 3 202 176 | +80 470 |
| 1992 | 3 284 258 | +82 082 |
| 1993 | 3 367 434 | +83 176 |
| 1994 | 3 451 122 | +83 688 |
| 1995 | 3 535 176 | +84 054 |
| 1996 | 3 619 013 | +83 837 |
| 1997 | 3 701 711 | +82 698 |
| 1998 | 3 782 838 | +81 127 |
| 1999 | 3 862 101 | +79 263 |
| 2000 | 3 937 739 | +75 638 |
| 2001 | 4 008 947 | +71 208 |
| 2002 | 4 075 705 | +66 758 |
| 2003 | 4 138 784 | +63 079 |
| 2004 | 4 200 078 | +61 294 |
| 2005 | 4 261 240 | +61 162 |
| 2006 | 4 321 340 | +60 100 |
| 2007 | 4 380 248 | +58 908 |
| 2008 | 4 440 056 | +59 808 |
| 2009 | 4 499 791 | +59 735 |
| 2010 | 4 555 962 | +56 171 |
| 2011 | 4 609 833 | +53 871 |
| 2012 | 4 663 934 | +54 101 |
| 2013 | 4 716 147 | +52 213 |
| 2014 | 4 767 119 | +50 972 |
| 2015 | 4 818 038 | +50 919 |
| 2016 | 4 866 998 | +48 960 |
| 2017 | 4 913 177 | +46 179 |
| 2018 | 4 957 818 | +44 641 |
| 2019 | 4 999 553 | +41 735 |
| 2020 | 5 034 320 | +34 767 |
| 2021 | 5 059 988 | +25 668 |
| 2022 | 5 081 765 | +21 777 |
| 2023 | 5 105 525 | +23 760 |
| 2024 | 5 129 910 | +24 385 |
This comprehensive table displays the complete year-by-year population records for Costa Rica from 1960 to 2024. Each row represents one calendar year, showing the total population and the annual change compared to the previous year.
Use this detailed dataset to analyze short-term population fluctuations, identify specific years with significant changes, or track precise demographic patterns. The sortable columns allow you to organize the data by year, population size, or annual change to suit your research needs. Data source: World Bank (updated: 10/7/2025).
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Costa Rica Population
What is the current population of Costa Rica?
The population of Costa Rica is estimated to be approximately 5 129 910 people as of 2024, based on official data from the World Bank.
How fast is the population of Costa Rica growing?
Costa Rica has experienced growth with an average annual growth rate of approximately 2.13% per year from 1960 to 2024. The total population has increased by 3 802 414 people (+286.4%) over this 64-year period.
How does Costa Rica's population compare to other countries?
Costa Rica ranks #172 in the world by population as of 2024, making it one of the less populous countries globally. With 5 129 910 people, Costa Rica accounts for approximately 0.01% of the world's total population.
How has the population of Costa Rica changed over time?
Over the past decades, Costa Rica's population has increased from 1 327 496 people in 1960 to 5 129 910 in 2024. The country reached its peak population of 5 129 910 in 2024. This growth reflects improvements in healthcare, economic development, and overall quality of life.
What were the population milestones of Costa Rica?
Costa Rica achieved several significant demographic milestones throughout its history. The population first reached 1 327 496 in 1960, and grew to its current level of 5 129 910 by 2024. The highest recorded population was 5 129 910 people in 2024, while the lowest in recent history was 1 327 496 in 1960.
What factors influence population growth in Costa Rica?
Key factors influencing population dynamics in Costa Rica include birth and death rates, migration patterns, government policies related to family planning and immigration, healthcare infrastructure and life expectancy, economic conditions affecting family size decisions, urbanization trends, and socio-cultural factors. The country's positive population trend over the past 64 years reflects the combined impact of these various demographic drivers.
Where can I find historical population data for Costa Rica?
This page provides comprehensive historical population data for Costa Rica from 1960 to 2024, sourced directly from the World Bank's official database. The data includes year-by-year population figures, decade summaries, growth rates, and interactive charts showing long-term demographic trends. This information is updated regularly (last update: 10/7/2025) to ensure accuracy and reliability for research, educational, and analytical purposes.