As of July 2024, in Costa Rica, the poverty rate among the population has been higher in the regions of Brunca and the Caribbean Huetar, with around ** percent of the people in each region experiencing poverty.

The share of population living on less than 3.2 U.S. dollars per day in Costa Rica declined to three percent in 2023. The share thereby reached its lowest value in recent years. The poverty headcount ratio refers to the share of the total population living on less than an average of 3.2 dollars per day. 2011 international dollars and purchasing power parity (PPP) have been used to allow comparisons over extended periods without the influence of monetary inflation.Find more key insights for the share of population living on less than 3.2 U.S. dollars per day in countries like Honduras and El Salvador.

Costa Rica CR: Multidimensional Poverty Index: scale 0-1 data was reported at 0.037 NA in 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.043 NA for 2021. Costa Rica CR: Multidimensional Poverty Index: scale 0-1 data is updated yearly, averaging 0.056 NA from Dec 2010 (Median) to 2022, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.073 NA in 2010 and a record low of 0.037 NA in 2022. Costa Rica CR: Multidimensional Poverty Index: scale 0-1 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Costa Rica – Table CR.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. ;Government statistical agencies. Data for EU countires are from the EUROSTAT;;

Over the last decade in Costa Rica, the share of households living in poverty conditions has consistently remained higher in rural areas. As of 2024, it reached its lowest value, with **** percent of the households in these conditions.

Poverty headcount ratio at national poverty lines (% of population) in Costa Rica was reported at 24.4 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Costa Rica - Poverty headcount ratio at national poverty line (% of population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

1.0 (%) in 2019. Poverty headcount ratio at $1.90 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $1.90 a day at 2011 international prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.

Costa Rica: Poverty ratio, percent living on less than 5.50 USD a day: The latest value from 2023 is 12.7 percent, a decline from 14.1 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 29.25 percent, based on data from 4 countries. Historically, the average for Costa Rica from 1981 to 2023 is 28.54 percent. The minimum value, 12.7 percent, was reached in 2023 while the maximum of 71.1 percent was recorded in 1981.

Urban poverty rate of Costa Rica went down by 0.51% from 19.5 % in 2014 to 19.4 % in 2015. Since the 3.68% climb in 2011, urban poverty rate reduced by 1.52% in 2015. Urban poverty rate is the percentage of the urban population living below the national urban poverty line.

Historical dataset showing Costa Rica poverty rate by year from 1981 to 2024.

CR: Income Share Held by Lowest 10% data was reported at 1.600 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.700 % for 2022. CR: Income Share Held by Lowest 10% data is updated yearly, averaging 1.400 % from Dec 1981 (Median) to 2023, with 37 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.700 % in 2022 and a record low of 1.000 % in 1991. CR: Income Share Held by Lowest 10% data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Costa Rica – Table CR.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. Percentage share of income or consumption is the share that accrues to subgroups of population indicated by deciles or quintiles.;World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are mostly from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see http://pip.worldbank.org.;;The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than 2000 household surveys across 169 countries. See the Poverty and Inequality Platform (PIP) for details (www.pip.worldbank.org).

Costa Rica CR: Proportion of People Living Below 50 Percent Of Median Income: % data was reported at 18.700 % in 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 19.600 % for 2021. Costa Rica CR: Proportion of People Living Below 50 Percent Of Median Income: % data is updated yearly, averaging 20.000 % from Dec 1981 (Median) to 2022, with 36 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 25.000 % in 1981 and a record low of 18.300 % in 2010. Costa Rica CR: Proportion of People Living Below 50 Percent Of Median Income: % data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Costa Rica – Table CR.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. The percentage of people in the population who live in households whose per capita income or consumption is below half of the median income or consumption per capita. The median is measured at 2017 Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) using the Poverty and Inequality Platform (http://www.pip.worldbank.org). For some countries, medians are not reported due to grouped and/or confidential data. The reference year is the year in which the underlying household survey data was collected. In cases for which the data collection period bridged two calendar years, the first year in which data were collected is reported.;World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are mostly from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see http://pip.worldbank.org.;;The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than 2000 household surveys across 169 countries. See the Poverty and Inequality Platform (PIP) for details (www.pip.worldbank.org).

Throughout the time period shown in Costa Rica, the share of the households living in extreme poverty conditions has decreased, reaching the lowest value during the pandemic in 2024, at *** percent.

Costa Rica Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: World Bank: % of total population data was reported at 0.900 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.000 % for 2022. Costa Rica Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: World Bank: % of total population data is updated yearly, averaging 1.750 % from Dec 2010 (Median) to 2023, with 14 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.300 % in 2020 and a record low of 0.900 % in 2023. Costa Rica Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: World Bank: % of total population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Costa Rica – Table CR.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. The multidimensional poverty headcount ratio (World Bank) is the percentage of a population living in poverty according to the World Bank's Multidimensional Poverty Measure. The Multidimensional Poverty Measure includes three dimensions – monetary poverty, education, and basic infrastructure services – to capture a more complete picture of poverty.;World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are mostly from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see http://pip.worldbank.org.;;The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than 2000 household surveys across 169 countries. See the Poverty and Inequality Platform (PIP) for details (www.pip.worldbank.org).

Costa Rica CR: Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: Male: % of male population data was reported at 21.414 % in 2019. This records a decrease from the previous number of 24.528 % for 2018. Costa Rica CR: Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: Male: % of male population data is updated yearly, averaging 26.245 % from Dec 2010 (Median) to 2019, with 10 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 32.192 % in 2010 and a record low of 21.414 % in 2019. Costa Rica CR: Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: Male: % of male population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Costa Rica – Table CR.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. ;Government statistical agencies. Data for EU countires are from the EUROSTAT;;

Dataset

This dataset was created by Sneha L

Contents

1.30 (%) in 2024. Population below $1.9 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $1.9 a day at 2005 international prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.

Costa Rica CR: Poverty Gap at $1.90 a Day: 2011 PPP: % data was reported at 0.900 % in 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.400 % for 2019. Costa Rica CR: Poverty Gap at $1.90 a Day: 2011 PPP: % data is updated yearly, averaging 1.900 % from Dec 1981 (Median) to 2020, with 34 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.000 % in 1981 and a record low of 0.400 % in 2019. Costa Rica CR: Poverty Gap at $1.90 a Day: 2011 PPP: % data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Costa Rica – Table CR.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. Poverty gap at $1.90 a day (2011 PPP) is the mean shortfall in income or consumption from the poverty line $1.90 a day (counting the nonpoor as having zero shortfall), expressed as a percentage of the poverty line. This measure reflects the depth of poverty as well as its incidence. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.; ; World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are mostly from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see http://pip.worldbank.org.; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from around 2000 household surveys across 169 countries. See the Poverty and Inequality Platform (PIP) for details (www.pip.worldbank.org).

Costa Rica CR: Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.20 a Day: 2011 PPP: % of Population data was reported at 5.700 % in 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of 3.300 % for 2019. Costa Rica CR: Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.20 a Day: 2011 PPP: % of Population data is updated yearly, averaging 9.650 % from Dec 1981 (Median) to 2020, with 34 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 43.100 % in 1981 and a record low of 2.800 % in 2017. Costa Rica CR: Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.20 a Day: 2011 PPP: % of Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Costa Rica – Table CR.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. Poverty headcount ratio at $3.20 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $3.20 a day at 2011 international prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.; ; World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are mostly from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see http://pip.worldbank.org.; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from around 2000 household surveys across 169 countries. See the Poverty and Inequality Platform (PIP) for details (www.pip.worldbank.org).

Dataset

This dataset was created by Will Koehrsen

Contents

Out of all OECD countries, Cost Rica had the highest poverty rate as of 2022, at over 20 percent. The country with the second highest poverty rate was the United States, with 18 percent. On the other end of the scale, Czechia had the lowest poverty rate at 6.4 percent, followed by Denmark.

The significance of the OECD

The OECD, or the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, was founded in 1948 and is made up of 38 member countries. It seeks to improve the economic and social well-being of countries and their populations. The OECD looks at issues that impact people’s everyday lives and proposes policies that can help to improve the quality of life.

Poverty in the United States

In 2022, there were nearly 38 million people living below the poverty line in the U.S.. About one fourth of the Native American population lived in poverty in 2022, the most out of any ethnicity. In addition, the rate was higher among young women than young men. It is clear that poverty in the United States is a complex, multi-faceted issue that affects millions of people and is even more complex to solve.