Costa Rica: Value added in the agricultural sector as percent of GDP: The latest value from 2024 is 3.56 percent, a decline from 3.8 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 9.68 percent, based on data from 151 countries. Historically, the average for Costa Rica from 1960 to 2024 is 14.26 percent. The minimum value, 3.56 percent, was reached in 2024 while the maximum of 26.35 percent was recorded in 1960.

In 2023, the share of value added by the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector to the gross domestic product in Costa Rica stood at 3.8 percent. Between 1960 and 2023, the figure dropped by 22.55 percentage points, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory.

In 2023, the employment in the agricultural sector as share of total employment in Costa Rica stood at 13.41 percent. Between 1991 and 2023, the figure dropped by 5.29 percentage points, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory.

Abstract

The NAC is a large-scale statistical investigation conducted periodically to collect, process and disseminate data on the structure of the agricultural sector.

Objectives: The general Objective of the VI National Agricultural Census Provide the country with basic, reliable information and significant on the agricultural reality, which allows strengthening its technical capacity to formulate plans, programs and development instruments, studies and policy analysis that tend to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the management of one of the sectors of greatest contribution to the national economy and the welfare of the population.

Specific Objectives 1. Collect, process, analyse, publish and disseminate census information on the agricultural sector. 2. Strengthen the technical and operational capacity of agricultural sector institutions to plan, organize and implement agricultural censuses and surveys. 3. Obtain the databases that allow for the updating of the sampling frameworks used for the collection of continuous agricultural surveys and for conducting intercensal statistical research. 4. Increase the levels of participation through adequate encouragement, both of technical and administrative staff of the participating institutions and of users, to achieve better training and use of the sector's information.

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

Households

Universe

The statistical unit for the NAC 2014 was the agricultural farm, defined as "any land area, dedicated totally or partially to agricultural production for sale or self-consumption, managed by a household, society, company, public institution or other, whose tasks may be coordinated or directly accomplished by a person or with the help of others, and whose activities are carried out under the same management, by using the same means of production, such as labour, machinery, equipment and work animals". The definition of agricultural holdings includes aquaculture and forestry activities. Therefore, if the holding has only one those activities, it is considered as an agriculture holding. The farm can be constituted by one or more plots, under property or under other type of tenure, and may be located together or separately from one another, in the same canton or in different cantons. It includes family gardens, hydroponics and organoponics agricultural systems. The agricultural producer is the individual or legal entity that assumes full economic responsibility in the management of the farm and that may or may not have technical functions; it may manage the farm personally or exercise this function through another person who administers it.

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Sampling procedure

i. Methodological modality for conducting the census The NAC 2014 used the classical approach.

ii. Frame Data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock were a source for the agricultural census frame. The cartography of the National Population and Housing Census 2011 was used for the NAC 2014.

iii. Complete and/or sample enumeration methods The complete enumeration method was used for the NAC 2014.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

A single questionnaire was applied to collect all census information. Compared to the previous NAC, the NAC 2014 collected new items, such as data on irrigation and drainage practices, agricultural practices, agricultural equipment and infrastructure, agricultural support services, and variables related to food security and the environment. The sixth NAC covered 15 of the 16 core items recommended in the WCA 2010. The item "Other economic production activities of the holding's enterprise" was not covered.

Cleaning operations

1. DATA PROCESSING AND ARCHIVING Data entry was done by scanning the questionnaires. The data processing programme was developed by INEC using C# and CSPro. A designing, processing and analysis team supported this process. Microsoft SQL Server was used as a database management system. Census data were exported using SPSS.

2. CENSUS DATA QUALITY To ensure quality in the design and preparation of the census, several field tests in different parts of the country were carried out, including the 2013 pilot agricultural census, in which the following were evaluated: the functionality of the census questionnaire, the productivity of the enumerator during the interview, the communication strategy, etc.

The statistic shows the distribution of employment in Costa Rica by economic sector from 2013 to 2023. In 2023, 13.41 percent of the employees in Costa Rica were active in the agricultural sector, 20.21 percent in industry and 66.38 percent in the services sector.

Contains data from the World Bank's data portal covering the following topics which also exist as individual datasets on HDX: Agriculture and Rural Development, Aid Effectiveness, Economy and Growth, Education, Energy and Mining, Environment, Financial Sector, Health, Infrastructure, Social Protection and Labor, Poverty, Private Sector, Public Sector, Science and Technology, Social Development, Urban Development, Gender, Climate Change, External Debt, Trade.

This statistic shows the distribution of the gross domestic product (GDP) across economic sectors in Costa Rica from 2013 to 2023. In 2023, agriculture contributed around 3.8 percent to the GDP of Costa Rica, 20.46 percent came from the industry and 67.99 percent from the services sector.

Costa Rica: Value added in the agricultural sector as percent of GDP: Pour cet indicateur, La Banque mondiale fournit des données pour la Costa Rica de 1960 à 2024. La valeur moyenne pour Costa Rica pendant cette période était de 14.26 pour cent avec un minimum de 3.56 pour cent en 2024 et un maximum de 26.35 pour cent en 1960.

No of Job Postings: Active: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting data was reported at 11.000 Unit in 05 May 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 9.000 Unit for 28 Apr 2025. No of Job Postings: Active: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting data is updated weekly, averaging 0.000 Unit from Jan 2008 (Median) to 05 May 2025, with 905 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3,747.000 Unit in 13 Feb 2023 and a record low of 0.000 Unit in 30 Aug 2021. No of Job Postings: Active: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Revelio Labs, Inc.. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Costa Rica – Table CR.RL.JP: Number of Job Postings: Active: by Industry.

Costa Rica Number of Job Postings: New: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting data was reported at 1.000 Unit in 14 Apr 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.000 Unit for 07 Apr 2025. Costa Rica Number of Job Postings: New: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting data is updated weekly, averaging 0.000 Unit from Jan 2008 (Median) to 14 Apr 2025, with 902 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,972.000 Unit in 30 Jan 2023 and a record low of 0.000 Unit in 29 Jul 2024. Costa Rica Number of Job Postings: New: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Revelio Labs, Inc.. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Costa Rica – Table CR.RL.JP: Number of Job Postings: New: by Industry.

Costa Rica Agriculture & Fisheries: Share of Emissions Priced: Including Emissions from the Combustion of Biomass: Above EUR 90 per Tonne of CO2 data was reported at 14.549 % in 2021. Costa Rica Agriculture & Fisheries: Share of Emissions Priced: Including Emissions from the Combustion of Biomass: Above EUR 90 per Tonne of CO2 data is updated yearly, averaging 14.549 % from Dec 2021 (Median) to 2021, with 1 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 14.549 % in 2021 and a record low of 14.549 % in 2021. Costa Rica Agriculture & Fisheries: Share of Emissions Priced: Including Emissions from the Combustion of Biomass: Above EUR 90 per Tonne of CO2 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Costa Rica – Table CR.OECD.ESG: Environmental: Effective Carbon Rates: by Sector: OECD Member: Annual. The share of emissions priced above EUR Y per tonne of CO2 shows the share of emissions within a country or sector with a carbon price that exceed EUR Y in percent.

Costa Rica Agriculture & Fisheries: Carbon Pricing Score: Excluding Emissions from the Combustion of Biomass: EUR 30 per Tonne of CO2 data was reported at 100.000 % in 2021. Costa Rica Agriculture & Fisheries: Carbon Pricing Score: Excluding Emissions from the Combustion of Biomass: EUR 30 per Tonne of CO2 data is updated yearly, averaging 100.000 % from Dec 2021 (Median) to 2021, with 1 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 100.000 % in 2021 and a record low of 100.000 % in 2021. Costa Rica Agriculture & Fisheries: Carbon Pricing Score: Excluding Emissions from the Combustion of Biomass: EUR 30 per Tonne of CO2 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Costa Rica – Table CR.OECD.ESG: Environmental: Effective Carbon Rates: by Sector: OECD Member: Annual. The carbon pricing score answers the question how close countries are to price carbon in line with carbon costs. EUR 60 is a midpoint estimate for carbon costs in 2020, and a low-end estimate for 2030. Pricing all emissions at least at EUR 60 in 2020 shows that a country is on a good track to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement to decarbonise by mid-century economically. EUR 30 is a historic low-end estimate for carbon costs, and EUR 120 is a midrange estimate for carbon costs in 2030.; The carbon pricing score answers the question how close countries price carbon emissions in line with carbon costs. EUR 30 per tonne CO2 is a historic low-end estimate for carbon costs in the mid-2010s. A carbon price of EUR 30 in 2025 is also consistent with decarbonisation by 2060 according to Kaufman et al. (2020).More generally, a carbon pricing score of 100% shows that a country prices all carbon emissions at the carbon cost estimate or more, and a carbon pricing score of 0% shows that a country does not price any carbon emissions.The carbon pricing score by country, by sector answers the question how close countries price carbon emissions in line with carbon costs within a given sector.For additional information, see Effective Carbon Rates 2021

Costa Rica Air Pollutant Emissions: Carbon Dioxide: Tonnes of CO2 Equivalent: Industry: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing data was reported at 646,796.429 Tonne in 2021. This records an increase from the previous number of 562,705.676 Tonne for 2020. Costa Rica Air Pollutant Emissions: Carbon Dioxide: Tonnes of CO2 Equivalent: Industry: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing data is updated yearly, averaging 646,796.429 Tonne from Dec 2017 (Median) to 2021, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 660,789.685 Tonne in 2017 and a record low of 562,705.676 Tonne in 2020. Costa Rica Air Pollutant Emissions: Carbon Dioxide: Tonnes of CO2 Equivalent: Industry: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Costa Rica – Table CR.OECD.ESG: Environmental: Air Pollutant Emissions: Carbon Dioxide: by Industry: OECD Member: Annual.

Costa Rica Waste Generation: Primary: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing data was reported at 6,403.000 Tonne th in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 5,866.000 Tonne th for 2012. Costa Rica Waste Generation: Primary: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing data is updated yearly, averaging 6,134.500 Tonne th from Dec 2012 (Median) to 2015, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6,403.000 Tonne th in 2015 and a record low of 5,866.000 Tonne th in 2012. Costa Rica Waste Generation: Primary: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Costa Rica – Table CR.OECD.ESG: Environmental: Waste Generation: by Sector: OECD Member: Annual.

Costa Rica Agriculture & Fisheries: Share of Emissions Priced: Including Emissions from the Combustion of Biomass: Above EUR 60 per Tonne of CO2 data was reported at 94.654 % in 2021. Costa Rica Agriculture & Fisheries: Share of Emissions Priced: Including Emissions from the Combustion of Biomass: Above EUR 60 per Tonne of CO2 data is updated yearly, averaging 94.654 % from Dec 2021 (Median) to 2021, with 1 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 94.654 % in 2021 and a record low of 94.654 % in 2021. Costa Rica Agriculture & Fisheries: Share of Emissions Priced: Including Emissions from the Combustion of Biomass: Above EUR 60 per Tonne of CO2 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Costa Rica – Table CR.OECD.ESG: Environmental: Effective Carbon Rates: by Sector: OECD Member: Annual. The share of emissions priced above EUR Y per tonne of CO2 shows the share of emissions within a country or sector with a carbon price that exceed EUR Y in percent.

Global fruit production reached over 951.91 million metric tons in 2023, with bananas leading at 139.28 million metric tons. This figure highlights the importance of fruit in global agriculture and diets, with a diverse array of fruits contributing to the overall production. The sheer volume of fruit produced annually underscores its significance in global trade, nutrition, and food security. Regional production leaders Asia emerged as the powerhouse of fruit production, dominating both citrus fruits and banana output. The region produced 89.4 million metric tons of citrus fruits and 72.32 million metric tons of bananas in 2023. China stood out as the world's leading fresh fruit producer, generating an astounding 269.33 million metric tons. This concentration of production in Asia reflects the region's favorable climate and agricultural practices suited for fruit cultivation. Diverse fruit production landscape While bananas topped the production charts, other fruits also made significant contributions. Watermelons and apples followed closely, with 104.93 and 97.34 million metric tons produced respectively. Pineapples, though lower in overall production at 29.64 million metric tons, showcased interesting regional dynamics. Indonesia, the Philippines, and Costa Rica led pineapple production, with Costa Rica alone generating 2.9 million metric tons. The global fruit production landscape has seen substantial growth over the years, increasing from 576.65 million metric tons in 2000 to 951.91 million metric tons in 2023, demonstrating the expanding role of fruit in global agriculture.

Costa Rica Air Pollutant Emissions: Carbon Dioxide: Tonnes of Pollutant: Industry: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing: Non Specified data was reported at 0.000 Tonne in 2021. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 Tonne for 2020. Costa Rica Air Pollutant Emissions: Carbon Dioxide: Tonnes of Pollutant: Industry: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing: Non Specified data is updated yearly, averaging 0.000 Tonne from Dec 2017 (Median) to 2021, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.000 Tonne in 2021 and a record low of 0.000 Tonne in 2021. Costa Rica Air Pollutant Emissions: Carbon Dioxide: Tonnes of Pollutant: Industry: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing: Non Specified data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Costa Rica – Table CR.OECD.ESG: Environmental: Air Pollutant Emissions: Carbon Dioxide: by Industry: OECD Member: Annual.

Costa Rica Air Pollutant Emissions: Carbon Dioxide from Biomass: Tonnes of Pollutant: Industry: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing data was reported at 35,123.640 Tonne in 2021. This records a decrease from the previous number of 35,165.110 Tonne for 2020. Costa Rica Air Pollutant Emissions: Carbon Dioxide from Biomass: Tonnes of Pollutant: Industry: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing data is updated yearly, averaging 35,236.947 Tonne from Dec 2017 (Median) to 2021, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 35,996.913 Tonne in 2017 and a record low of 35,123.640 Tonne in 2021. Costa Rica Air Pollutant Emissions: Carbon Dioxide from Biomass: Tonnes of Pollutant: Industry: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Costa Rica – Table CR.OECD.ESG: Environmental: Air Pollutant Emissions: Carbon Dioxide From Biomass: by Industry: OECD Member: Annual.

Costa Rica Foreign Direct Investment Income: Inward: Total: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing data was reported at 185.581 USD mn in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 13.326 USD mn for 2022. Costa Rica Foreign Direct Investment Income: Inward: Total: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing data is updated yearly, averaging 13.029 USD mn from Dec 2017 (Median) to 2023, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 185.581 USD mn in 2023 and a record low of -16.266 USD mn in 2019. Costa Rica Foreign Direct Investment Income: Inward: Total: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Costa Rica – Table CR.OECD.FDI: Foreign Direct Investment Income: by Industry: OECD Member: Annual. Reverse investment: Netting of reverse investment in equity (when a direct investment enterprise acquires less than 10% equity ownership in its parent) and reverse investment in debt (when a direct investment enterprise extends a loan to its parent) is applied in the recording of total inward and outward FDI transactions and positionsTreatment of debt FDI transactions and positions between fellow enterprises: directional basis according to the residency of the ultimate controlling parent (extended directional principle). Resident Special Purpose Entities (SPEs) do not exist or are not significant and are recorded as zero in the FDI database. Valuation method used for listed inward and outward equity positions: Book value. Valuation method used for unlisted inward and outward equity positions: Book value. Valuation method used for inward and outward debt positions: Book value. .; FDI statistics are available by geographic allocation, vis-à-vis single partner countries worldwide and geographical and economic zones aggregates. Partner country allocation can be subject to confidentiality restrictions. Geographic allocation of inward and outward FDI transactions and positions is according to the immediate counterparty. Intercompany debt between related financial intermediaries, including permanent debt, are excluded from FDI transactions and positions. Direct investment relationships are identified according to a partial application of the criteria of the Framework for Direct Investment Relationships (FDIR) method. Debt between fellow enterprises are covered. Non-profit institutions serving households are not covered as direct investors. FDI statistics are available by industry sectors according to ISIC4 classification. Industry sector allocation can be subject to confidentiality restrictions. Inward and outward FDI transactions and positions are allocated to the activity of the resident direct investment enterprise/direct investor. Outward FDI transactions and positions are allocated according to the activity of the resident direct investor. Statistical unit: Enterprise.

Costa Rica Foreign Direct Investment Income: Outward: USD: Total: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing data was reported at 0.000 USD mn in 2023. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 USD mn for 2022. Costa Rica Foreign Direct Investment Income: Outward: USD: Total: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing data is updated yearly, averaging 0.000 USD mn from Dec 2017 (Median) to 2023, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.000 USD mn in 2023 and a record low of 0.000 USD mn in 2023. Costa Rica Foreign Direct Investment Income: Outward: USD: Total: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Costa Rica – Table CR.OECD.FDI: Foreign Direct Investment Income: USD: by Industry: OECD Member: Annual. Reverse investment: Netting of reverse investment in equity (when a direct investment enterprise acquires less than 10% equity ownership in its parent) and reverse investment in debt (when a direct investment enterprise extends a loan to its parent) is applied in the recording of total inward and outward FDI transactions and positionsTreatment of debt FDI transactions and positions between fellow enterprises: directional basis according to the residency of the ultimate controlling parent (extended directional principle). Resident Special Purpose Entities (SPEs) do not exist or are not significant and are recorded as zero in the FDI database. Valuation method used for listed inward and outward equity positions: Book value. Valuation method used for unlisted inward and outward equity positions: Book value. Valuation method used for inward and outward debt positions: Book value. .; FDI statistics are available by geographic allocation, vis-à-vis single partner countries worldwide and geographical and economic zones aggregates. Partner country allocation can be subject to confidentiality restrictions. Geographic allocation of inward and outward FDI transactions and positions is according to the immediate counterparty. Intercompany debt between related financial intermediaries, including permanent debt, are excluded from FDI transactions and positions. Direct investment relationships are identified according to a partial application of the criteria of the Framework for Direct Investment Relationships (FDIR) method. Debt between fellow enterprises are covered. Non-profit institutions serving households are not covered as direct investors. FDI statistics are available by industry sectors according to ISIC4 classification. Industry sector allocation can be subject to confidentiality restrictions. Inward and outward FDI transactions and positions are allocated to the activity of the resident direct investment enterprise/direct investor. Outward FDI transactions and positions are allocated according to the activity of the resident direct investor. Statistical unit: Enterprise.