Costa Rica vs. Panama
Introduction
| Costa Rica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Background | Although explored by the Spanish early in the 16th century, initial attempts at colonizing Costa Rica proved unsuccessful due to a combination of factors, including disease from mosquito-infested swamps, brutal heat, resistance by natives, and pirate raids. It was not until 1563 that a permanent settlement of Cartago was established in the cooler, fertile central highlands. The area remained a colony for some two and a half centuries. In 1821, Costa Rica became one of several Central American provinces that jointly declared their independence from Spain. Two years later it joined the United Provinces of Central America, but this federation disintegrated in 1838, at which time Costa Rica proclaimed its sovereignty and independence. Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred the country's democratic development. On 1 December 1948, Costa Rica dissolved its armed forces. Although it still maintains a large agricultural sector, Costa Rica has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism industries. The standard of living is relatively high. Land ownership is widespread. | Explored and settled by the Spanish in the 16th century, Panama broke with Spain in 1821 and joined a union of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela - named the Republic of Gran Colombia. When the latter dissolved in 1830, Panama remained part of Colombia. With US backing, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903 and promptly signed a treaty with the US allowing for the construction of a canal and US sovereignty over a strip of land on either side of the structure (the Panama Canal Zone). The Panama Canal was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914. In 1977, an agreement was signed for the complete transfer of the Canal from the US to Panama by the end of the century. Certain portions of the Zone and increasing responsibility over the Canal were turned over in the subsequent decades. With US help, dictator Manuel NORIEGA was deposed in 1989. The entire Panama Canal, the area supporting the Canal, and remaining US military bases were transferred to Panama by the end of 1999. An ambitious expansion project to more than double the Canal's capacity - by allowing for more Canal transits and larger ships - was carried out between 2007 and 2016. |
Geography
| Costa Rica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama | Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica |
| Geographic coordinates | 10 00 N, 84 00 W | 9 00 N, 80 00 W |
| Map references | Central America and the Caribbean | Central America and the Caribbean |
| Area | total: 51,100 sq km land: 51,060 sq km water: 40 sq km note: includes Isla del Coco | total: 75,420 sq km land: 74,340 sq km water: 1,080 sq km |
| Area - comparative | slightly smaller than West Virginia | slightly smaller than South Carolina |
| Land boundaries | total: 661 km border countries (2): Nicaragua 313 km, Panama 348 km | total: 687 km border countries (2): Colombia 339 km, Costa Rica 348 km |
| Coastline | 1,290 km | 2,490 km |
| Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm | territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or edge of continental margin |
| Climate | tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands | tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May) |
| Terrain | coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major active volcanoes | interior mostly steep, rugged mountains with dissected, upland plains; coastal plains with rolling hills |
| Elevation extremes | highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,819 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 746 m | highest point: Volcan Baru 3,475 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 360 m |
| Natural resources | hydropower | copper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower |
| Land use | agricultural land: 37.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 4.9% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 6.7% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 25.5% (2018 est.) forest: 51.5% (2018 est.) other: 11.4% (2018 est.) | agricultural land: 30.5% (2018 est.) arable land: 7.3% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2.5% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 20.7% (2018 est.) forest: 43.6% (2018 est.) other: 25.9% (2018 est.) |
| Irrigated land | 1,015 sq km (2012) | 321 sq km (2012) |
| Natural hazards | occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes volcanism: Arenal (1,670 m), which erupted in 2010, is the most active volcano in Costa Rica; a 1968 eruption destroyed the town of Tabacon; Irazu (3,432 m), situated just east of San Jose, has the potential to spew ash over the capital city as it did between 1963 and 1965; other historically active volcanoes include Miravalles, Poas, Rincon de la Vieja, and Turrialba | occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area |
| Environment - current issues | deforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; coastal marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air pollution | water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation and soil erosion threatens siltation of Panama Canal; air pollution in urban areas; mining threatens natural resources |
| Environment - international agreements | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation | party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation |
| Geography - note | four volcanoes, two of them active, rise near the capital of San Jose in the center of the country; one of the volcanoes, Irazu, erupted destructively in 1963-65 | strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridge connecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal that links North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Ocean |
| Total renewable water resources | 113 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) | 139.304 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) |
| Population distribution | roughly half of the nation's population resides in urban areas; the capital of San Jose is the largest city and home to approximately one-fifth of the population | population is concentrated towards the center of the country, particularly around the Canal, but a sizeable segment of the populace also lives in the far west around David; the eastern third of the country is sparsely inhabited |
Demographics
| Costa Rica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,151,140 (July 2021 est.) | 3,928,646 (July 2021 est.) |
| Age structure | 0-14 years: 22.08% (male 575,731/female 549,802) 15-24 years: 15.19% (male 395,202/female 379,277) 25-54 years: 43.98% (male 1,130,387/female 1,111,791) 55-64 years: 9.99% (male 247,267/female 261,847) 65 years and over: 8.76% (male 205,463/female 241,221) (2020 est.) | 0-14 years: 25.56% (male 508,131/female 487,205) 15-24 years: 16.59% (male 329,250/female 316,796) 25-54 years: 40.31% (male 794,662/female 774,905) 55-64 years: 8.54% (male 165,129/female 167,317) 65 years and over: 9.01% (male 160,516/female 190,171) (2020 est.) |
| Median age | total: 32.6 years male: 32.1 years female: 33.1 years (2020 est.) | total: 30.1 years male: 29.6 years female: 30.5 years (2020 est.) |
| Population growth rate | 1.04% (2021 est.) | 1.16% (2021 est.) |
| Birth rate | 14.53 births/1,000 population (2021 est.) | 16.67 births/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
| Death rate | 4.86 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.) | 5.01 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
| Net migration rate | 0.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) | -0.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
| Sex ratio | at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2020 est.) | at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2020 est.) |
| Infant mortality rate | total: 8.59 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.66 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.) | total: 11.25 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.37 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.) |
| Life expectancy at birth | total population: 79.41 years male: 76.75 years female: 82.22 years (2021 est.) | total population: 79.47 years male: 76.66 years female: 82.41 years (2021 est.) |
| Total fertility rate | 1.87 children born/woman (2021 est.) | 2.21 children born/woman (2021 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate | 0.4% (2020 est.) | 1% (2020 est.) |
| Nationality | noun: Costa Rican(s) adjective: Costa Rican | noun: Panamanian(s) adjective: Panamanian |
| Ethnic groups | White or Mestizo 83.6%, Mulatto 6.7%, Indigenous 2.4%, Black or African descent 1.1%, other 1.1%, none 2.9%, unspecified 2.2% (2011 est.) | Mestizo (mixed Amerindian and White) 65%, Native American 12.3% (Ngabe 7.6%, Kuna 2.4%, Embera 0.9%, Bugle 0.8%, other 0.4%, unspecified 0.2%), Black or African descent 9.2%, Mulatto 6.8%, White 6.7% (2010 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS | 16,000 (2020 est.) | 31,000 (2020 est.) note: estimate does not include children |
| Religions | Roman Catholic 71.8%, Evangelical and Pentecostal 12.3%, other Protestant 2.6%, Jehovah's Witness 0.5%, other 2.4%, none 10.4% (2016 est.) | Roman Catholic 48.6%, Evangelical 30.2%, other 4.7%, agnostic 0.2%, atheist 0.2%, none 12.3%, unspecified 3.7% (2018 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - deaths | <500 (2020 est.) | <500 (2020 est.) note: estimate does not include children |
| Languages | Spanish (official), English major-language sample(s): La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. | Spanish (official), indigenous languages (including Ngabere (or Guaymi), Buglere, Kuna, Embera, Wounaan, Naso (or Teribe), and Bri Bri), Panamanian English Creole (similar to Jamaican English Creole; a mixture of English and Spanish with elements of Ngabere; also known as Guari Guari and Colon Creole), English, Chinese (Yue and Hakka), Arabic, French Creole, other (Yiddish, Hebrew, Korean, Japanese); note - many Panamanians are bilingual major-language sample(s): La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. |
| Literacy | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.9% male: 97.8% female: 97.9% (2018) | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.4% male: 96% female: 94.9% (2018) |
| Major infectious diseases | degree of risk: intermediate (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: dengue fever | degree of risk: intermediate (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: dengue fever |
| School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) | total: 16 years male: 17 years female: 17 years (2019) | total: 13 years male: 12 years female: 14 years (2016) |
| Education expenditures | 7% of GDP (2019) | 3.2% of GDP (2011) |
| Urbanization | urban population: 81.4% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 1.5% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) | urban population: 68.8% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 1.92% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) |
| Drinking water source | improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2017 est.) | improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 94.8% of population total: 98.3% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 5.2% of population total: 1.7% of population (2017 est.) |
| Sanitation facility access | improved: urban: 98.4% of population rural: 95.8% of population total: 97.8% of population unimproved: urban: 1.6% of population rural: 4.2% of population total: 2.2% of population (2017 est.) | improved: urban: 97.2% of population rural: 72.4% of population total: 89.1% of population unimproved: urban: 2.8% of population rural: 27.6% of population total: 10.9% of population (2017 est.) |
| Major cities - population | 1.421 million SAN JOSE (capital) (2021) | 1.899 million PANAMA CITY (capital) (2021) |
| Maternal mortality rate | 27 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) | 52 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) |
| Children under the age of 5 years underweight | 2.9% (2018) | 3% (2019) |
| Health expenditures | 7.6% (2018) | 7.3% (2018) |
| Physicians density | 2.89 physicians/1,000 population (2018) | 1.57 physicians/1,000 population (2016) |
| Hospital bed density | 1.1 beds/1,000 population (2017) | 2.3 beds/1,000 population (2016) |
| Obesity - adult prevalence rate | 25.7% (2016) | 22.7% (2016) |
| Demographic profile | Costa Rica's political stability, high standard of living, and well-developed social benefits system set it apart from its Central American neighbors. Through the government's sustained social spending - almost 20% of GDP annually - Costa Rica has made tremendous progress toward achieving its goal of providing universal access to education, healthcare, clean water, sanitation, and electricity. Since the 1970s, expansion of these services has led to a rapid decline in infant mortality, an increase in life expectancy at birth, and a sharp decrease in the birth rate. The average number of children born per women has fallen from about 7 in the 1960s to 3.5 in the early 1980s to below replacement level today. Costa Rica's poverty rate is lower than in most Latin American countries, but it has stalled at around 20% for almost two decades. Costa Rica is a popular regional immigration destination because of its job opportunities and social programs. Almost 9% of the population is foreign-born, with Nicaraguans comprising nearly three-quarters of the foreign population. Many Nicaraguans who perform unskilled seasonal labor enter Costa Rica illegally or overstay their visas, which continues to be a source of tension. Less than 3% of Costa Rica's population lives abroad. The overwhelming majority of expatriates have settled in the United States after completing a university degree or in order to work in a highly skilled field. | Panama is a country of demographic and economic contrasts. It is in the midst of a demographic transition, characterized by steadily declining rates of fertility, mortality, and population growth, but disparities persist based on wealth, geography, and ethnicity. Panama has one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America and dedicates substantial funding to social programs, yet poverty and inequality remain prevalent. The indigenous population accounts for a growing share of Panama's poor and extreme poor, while the non-indigenous rural poor have been more successful at rising out of poverty through rural-to-urban labor migration. The government's large expenditures on untargeted, indirect subsidies for water, electricity, and fuel have been ineffective, but its conditional cash transfer program has shown some promise in helping to decrease extreme poverty among the indigenous population. Panama has expanded access to education and clean water, but the availability of sanitation and, to a lesser extent, electricity remains poor. The increase in secondary schooling - led by female enrollment - is spreading to rural and indigenous areas, which probably will help to alleviate poverty if educational quality and the availability of skilled jobs improve. Inadequate access to sanitation contributes to a high incidence of diarrhea in Panama's children, which is one of the main causes of Panama's elevated chronic malnutrition rate, especially among indigenous communities. |
| Contraceptive prevalence rate | 70.9% (2018) | 50.8% (2014/15) |
| Dependency ratios | total dependency ratio: 45.1 youth dependency ratio: 30.2 elderly dependency ratio: 14.9 potential support ratio: 6.7 (2020 est.) | total dependency ratio: 53.9 youth dependency ratio: 40.8 elderly dependency ratio: 13.1 potential support ratio: 7.6 (2020 est.) |
Government
| Costa Rica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Country name | conventional long form: Republic of Costa Rica conventional short form: Costa Rica local long form: Republica de Costa Rica local short form: Costa Rica etymology: the name means "rich coast" in Spanish and was first applied in the early colonial period of the 16th century | conventional long form: Republic of Panama conventional short form: Panama local long form: Republica de Panama local short form: Panama etymology: named after the capital city which was itself named after a former indigenous fishing village |
| Government type | presidential republic | presidential republic |
| Capital | name: San Jose geographic coordinates: 9 56 N, 84 05 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: named in honor of Saint Joseph | name: Panama City geographic coordinates: 8 58 N, 79 32 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: according to tradition, the name derives from a former fishing area near the present capital - an indigenous village and its adjacent beach - that were called "Panama" meaning "an abundance of fish" |
| Administrative divisions | 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose | 10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 4 indigenous regions* (comarcas); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Embera-Wounaan*, Guna Yala*, Herrera, Los Santos, Naso Tjer Di*, Ngobe-Bugle*, Panama, Panama Oeste, Veraguas |
| Independence | 15 September 1821 (from Spain) | 3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain on 28 November 1821) |
| National holiday | Independence Day, 15 September (1821) | Independence Day (Separation Day), 3 November (1903) |
| Constitution | history: many previous; latest effective 8 November 1949 amendments: proposals require the signatures of at least 10 Legislative Assembly members or petition of at least 5% of qualified voters; consideration of proposals requires two-thirds majority approval in each of three readings by the Assembly, followed by preparation of the proposal as a legislative bill and its approval by simple majority of the Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership; a referendum is required only if approved by at least two thirds of the Assembly; amended many times, last in 2020 | history: several previous; latest effective 11 October 1972 amendments: proposed by the National Assembly, by the Cabinet, or by the Supreme Court of Justice; passage requires approval by one of two procedures: 1) absolute majority vote of the Assembly membership in each of three readings and by absolute majority vote of the next elected Assembly in a single reading without textual modifications; 2) absolute majority vote of the Assembly membership in each of three readings, followed by absolute majority vote of the next elected Assembly in each of three readings with textual modifications, and approval in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2004 |
| Legal system | civil law system based on Spanish civil code; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court | civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Justice |
| Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal and compulsory | 18 years of age; universal |
| Executive branch | chief of state: President Carlos ALVARADO Quesada (since 8 May 2018); First Vice President Epsy CAMPBELL Barr (since 8 May 2018); Second Vice President Marvin RODRIGUEZ Cordero (since 8 May 2018); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Carlos ALVARADO Quesada (since 8 May 2018); First Vice President Epsy CAMPBELL Barr (since 8 May 2018); Second Vice President Marvin RODRIGUEZ Cordero (since 8 May 2018) cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president elections/appointments: president and vice presidents directly elected on the same ballot by modified majority popular vote (40% threshold) for a 4-year term (eligible for non-consecutive terms); election last held on 4 February 2018 with a runoff on 1 April 2018 (next to be held on 6 February 2022) election results: 2018: Carlos ALVARADO Quesada elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Fabricio ALVARADO Munoz (PRN) 25%; Carlos ALVARADO Quesada (PAC) 21.6%; Antonio ALVAREZ (PLN) 18.6%; Rodolfo PIZA (PUSC) 16%; Juan Diego CASTRO (PIN) 9.5%; Rodolfo HERNANDEZ (PRS) 4.9%, other 4.4%; percent of vote in second round - Carlos ALVARADO Quesada (PAC) 60.7%; Fabricio ALVARADO Munoz (PRN) 39.3% 2014: Luis Guillermo SOLIS Rivera elected president; percent of vote - Luis Guillermo SOLIS Rivera (PAC) 77.8%; Johnny ARAYA (PLN) 22.2% | chief of state: President Laurentino "Nito" CORTIZO Cohen (since 1 July 2019); Vice President Jose Gabriel CARRIZO Jaen (since 1 July 2019); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Laurentino "Nito" CORTIZO Cohen (since 1 July 2019); Vice President Jose Gabriel CARRIZO Jaen (since 1 July 2019) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term; president eligible for a single non-consecutive term); election last held on 5 May 2019 (next to be held in 2024) election results: 2019: Laurentino "Nito" CORTIZO Cohen elected president; percent of vote - Laurentino CORTIZO Cohen (PRD) 33.3%, Romulo ROUX (CD) 31%, Ricardo LOMBANA (independent) 18.8%, Jose BLANDON (Panamenista Party) 10.8%, Ana Matilde GOMEZ Ruiloba (independent) 4.8%, other 1.3% 2014: Juan Carlos VARELA elected president; percent of vote - Juan Carlos VARELA (PP) 39.1%, Jose Domingo ARIAS (CD) 31.4%, Juan Carlos NAVARRO (PRD) 28.2%, other 1.3% |
| Legislative branch | description: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies - corresponding to the country's 7 provinces - by closed party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 4 February 2018 (next to be held on 6 February 2022) election results: percent of vote by party - PLN 19.5%, PRN 18.2%, PAC 16.3%, PUSC 14.6%, PIN 7.7%, PRS 4.2%, PFA 4%, ADC 2.5%, ML 2.3%, PASE 2.3%, PNG 2.2%, other 6.2%; seats by party - PLN 17, PRN 14, PAC 10, PUSC 9, PIN 4, PRS 2, PFA 1; composition - men 31, women 26, percent of women 45.6% | description: unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (71 seats; 45 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies - populous towns and cities - by open list proportional representation vote and 26 directly elected in single-seat constituencies - outlying rural districts - by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 5 May 2019 (next to be held in May 2024) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PRD 35, CD 18, Panamenista 8, MOLIRENA 5, independent 5; composition - men 55, women 16, percent of women 22.5% |
| Judicial branch | highest courts: Supreme Court of Justice (consists of 22 judges organized into 3 cassation chambers each with 5 judges and the Constitutional Chamber with 7 judges) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court of Justice judges elected by the National Assembly for 8-year terms with renewal decided by the National Assembly subordinate courts: appellate courts; trial courts; first instance and justice of the peace courts; Superior Electoral Tribunal | highest courts: Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of 9 magistrates and 9 alternates and divided into civil, criminal, administrative, and general business chambers) judge selection and term of office: magistrates appointed by the president for staggered 10-year terms subordinate courts: appellate courts or Tribunal Superior; Labor Supreme Courts; Court of Audit; circuit courts or Tribunal Circuital (2 each in 9 of the 10 provinces); municipal courts; electoral, family, maritime, and adolescent courts |
| Political parties and leaders | Accessibility Without Exclusion or PASE [Oscar Andres LOPEZ Arias] Broad Front (Frente Amplio) or PFA [Ana Patricia MORA Castellanos] Christian Democratic Alliance or ADC [Mario REDONDO Poveda] Citizen Action Party or PAC [Marta Eugenia SOLANO Arias] Costa Rican Renewal Party or PRC [Justo OROZCO Alvarez] Libertarian Movement Party or ML [Victor Danilo CUBERO Corrales] National Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ Cespedes] National Liberation Party or PLN [Jorge Julio PATTONI Saenz] National Restoration Party or PRN [Carlos Luis AVENDANO Calvo] New Generation or PNG [Sergio MENA] Patriotic Alliance [Jorge ARAYA Westover] Social Christian Republican Party or PRS [Dragos DOLANESCU Valenciano] Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC [Pedro MUNOZ Fonseca] | Democratic Change or CD [Romulo ROUX] Democratic Revolutionary Party or PRD [Benicio ROBINSON] Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement or MOLIRENA [Francisco "Pancho" ALEMAN] Panamenista Party [Jose Luis "Popi" VARELA Rodriguez] (formerly the Arnulfista Party) Popular Party or PP [Juan Carlos ARANGO Reese] (formerly Christian Democratic Party or PDC) |
| International organization participation | BCIE, CACM, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS, OIF (observer), OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO | BCIE, CAN (observer), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, SICA, UN, UNASUR (observer), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | chief of mission: Ambassador Fernando LLORCA Castro (since 17 September 2018) chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 499-2984 FAX: [1] (202) 265-4795 email address and website: embcr-us@rree.go.cr http://www.costarica-embassy.org/index.php?q=node/21 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Washington DC honorary consulate(s): San Juan (Puerto Rico), Saint Paul (MN), Tucson (AZ) | chief of mission: Ambassador Juan Ricardo DE DIANOUS HENRIQUEZ (since 16 September 2019) chancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 483-1407 FAX: [1] (202) 483-8413 email address and website: info@embassyofpanama.org https://www.embassyofpanama.org/ consulate(s) general: Houston, Miami, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Tampa, Washington DC |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Gloria BERBENA (since January 2021) embassy: Calle 98 Via 104, Pavas, San Jose mailing address: 3180 St. George's Place, Washington DC 20521-3180 telephone: [506] 2519-2000 FAX: [506] 2519-2305 email address and website: acssanjose@state.gov https://cr.usembassy.gov/ | chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant), Charge d'Affairs Steward TUTTLE (since August 2020) embassy: Building 783, Demetrio Basilio Lakas Avenue, Clayton mailing address: 9100 Panama City PL, Washington, DC 20521-9100 telephone: [507] 317-5000 FAX: [507] 317-5568 (2018) email address and website: Panama-ACS@state.gov https://pa.usembassy.gov/ |
| Flag description | five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk placed toward the hoist side of the red band; Costa Rica retained the earlier blue-white-blue flag of Central America until 1848 when, in response to revolutionary activity in Europe, it was decided to incorporate the French colors into the national flag and a central red stripe was added; today the blue color is said to stand for the sky, opportunity, and perseverance, white denotes peace, happiness, and wisdom, while red represents the blood shed for freedom, as well as the generosity and vibrancy of the people note: somewhat resembles the flag of North Korea; similar to the flag of Thailand but with the blue and red colors reversed | divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white (hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and plain red; the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white with a red five-pointed star in the center; the blue and red colors are those of the main political parties (Conservatives and Liberals respectively) and the white denotes peace between them; the blue star stands for the civic virtues of purity and honesty, the red star signifies authority and law |
| National anthem | name: "Himno Nacional de Costa Rica" (National Anthem of Costa Rica) lyrics/music: Jose Maria ZELEDON Brenes/Manuel Maria GUTIERREZ note: adopted 1949; the anthem's music was originally written for an 1853 welcome ceremony for diplomatic missions from the US and UK; the lyrics were added in 1903 | name: "Himno Istmeno" (Isthmus Hymn) lyrics/music: Jeronimo DE LA OSSA/Santos A. JORGE note: adopted 1925 |
| International law organization participation | accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction | accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction |
| National symbol(s) | yiguirro (clay-colored robin); national colors: blue, white, red | harpy eagle; national colors: blue, white, red |
| Citizenship | citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: yes dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years | citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: yes dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years |
Economy
| Costa Rica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Economy - overview | Since 2010, Costa Rica has enjoyed strong and stable economic growth - 3.8% in 2017. Exports of bananas, coffee, sugar, and beef are the backbone of its commodity exports. Various industrial and processed agricultural products have broadened exports in recent years, as have high value-added goods, including medical devices. Costa Rica's impressive biodiversity also makes it a key destination for ecotourism. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country's political stability and relatively high education levels, as well as the incentives offered in the free-trade zones; Costa Rica has attracted one of the highest levels of foreign direct investment per capita in Latin America. The US-Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), which became effective for Costa Rica in 2009, helped increase foreign direct investment in key sectors of the economy, including insurance and telecommunication. However, poor infrastructure, high energy costs, a complex bureaucracy, weak investor protection, and uncertainty of contract enforcement impede greater investment. Costa Rica's economy also faces challenges due to a rising fiscal deficit, rising public debt, and relatively low levels of domestic revenue. Poverty has remained around 20-25% for nearly 20 years, and the government's strong social safety net has eroded due to increased constraints on its expenditures. Costa Rica's credit rating was downgraded from stable to negative in 2015 and again in 2017, upping pressure on lending rates - which could hurt small business, on the budget deficit - which could hurt infrastructure development, and on the rate of return on investment - which could soften foreign direct investment (FDI). Unlike the rest of Central America, Costa Rica is not highly dependent on remittances - which represented just 1 % of GDP in 2016, but instead relies on FDI - which accounted for 5.1% of GDP. | Panama's dollar-based economy rests primarily on a well-developed services sector that accounts for more than three-quarters of GDP. Services include operating the Panama Canal, logistics, banking, the Colon Free Trade Zone, insurance, container ports, flagship registry, and tourism and Panama is a center for offshore banking. Panama's transportation and logistics services sectors, along with infrastructure development projects, have boosted economic growth; however, public debt surpassed $37 billion in 2016 because of excessive government spending and public works projects. The US-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement was approved by Congress and signed into law in October 2011, and entered into force in October 2012. Future growth will be bolstered by the Panama Canal expansion project that began in 2007 and was completed in 2016 at a cost of $5.3 billion - about 10-15% of current GDP. The expansion project more than doubled the Canal's capacity, enabling it to accommodate high-capacity vessels such as tankers and neopanamax vessels that are too large to traverse the existing canal. The US and China are the top users of the Canal. Strong economic performance has not translated into broadly shared prosperity, as Panama has the second worst income distribution in Latin America. About one-fourth of the population lives in poverty; however, from 2006 to 2012 poverty was reduced by 10 percentage points. |
| GDP (purchasing power parity) | $99.146 billion (2019 est.) $97.122 billion (2018 est.) $94.605 billion (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars | $133.587 billion (2019 est.) $129.688 billion (2018 est.) $125.07 billion (2017 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars |
| GDP - real growth rate | 3.3% (2017 est.) 4.2% (2016 est.) 3.6% (2015 est.) | 5.4% (2017 est.) 5% (2016 est.) 5.8% (2015 est.) |
| GDP - per capita (PPP) | $19,642 (2019 est.) $19,427 (2018 est.) $19,112 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars | $31,459 (2019 est.) $31,049 (2018 est.) $30,455 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars |
| GDP - composition by sector | agriculture: 5.5% (2017 est.) industry: 20.6% (2017 est.) services: 73.9% (2017 est.) | agriculture: 2.4% (2017 est.) industry: 15.7% (2017 est.) services: 82% (2017 est.) |
| Population below poverty line | 21% (2019 est.) | 22.1% (2016 est.) |
| Household income or consumption by percentage share | lowest 10%: 1.5% highest 10%: 36.9% (2014 est.) | lowest 10%: 1.1% highest 10%: 38.9% (2014 est.) |
| Inflation rate (consumer prices) | 2% (2019 est.) 2.2% (2018 est.) 1.6% (2017 est.) | 0.9% (2017 est.) 0.7% (2016 est.) |
| Labor force | 1.843 million (2020 est.) note: official estimate; excludes Nicaraguans living in Costa Rica | 1.633 million (2017 est.) note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor |
| Labor force - by occupation | agriculture: 14% industry: 22% services: 64% (2006 est.) | agriculture: 17% industry: 18.6% services: 64.4% (2009 est.) |
| Unemployment rate | 8.1% (2017 est.) 9.5% (2016 est.) | 6.14% (2018 est.) 6% (2017 est.) |
| Distribution of family income - Gini index | 48 (2018 est.) 49.2 (2013) | 49.2 (2018 est.) 56.1 (2003) |
| Budget | revenues: 8.357 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 11.92 billion (2017 est.) | revenues: 12.43 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 13.44 billion (2017 est.) |
| Industries | medical equipment, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products | construction, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling |
| Industrial production growth rate | 1.3% (2017 est.) | 6.3% (2017 est.) |
| Agriculture - products | sugar cane, pineapples, bananas, milk, oil palm fruit, fruit, oranges, watermelons, cassava, rice | sugar cane, bananas, rice, poultry, milk, plantains, pineapples, maize, beef, pork |
| Exports | $10.81 billion (2017 est.) $10.15 billion (2016 est.) | $25.94 billion (2018 est.) $24.7 billion (2017 est.) note: includes the Colon Free Zone |
| Exports - commodities | medical instruments, bananas, tropical fruits, orthopedic appliances, food preparations (2019) | refined petroleum, copper, bananas, ships, coal tar oil, packaged medicines (2019) |
| Exports - partners | United States 38%, Netherlands 6%, Belgium 5%, Guatemala 5%, Panama 5% (2019) | Ecuador 20%, Guatemala 14%, China 8%, United States 6%, Netherlands 6% (2019) |
| Imports | $15.15 billion (2017 est.) $14.53 billion (2016 est.) | $28.978 billion (2018 est.) $28.175 billion (2017 est.) note: includes the Colon Free Zone |
| Imports - commodities | refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, cars, medical instruments, packaged medicines (2019) | ships, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, tanker ships, packaged medicines (2019) |
| Imports - partners | United States 41%, China 13%, Mexico 7% (2019) | China 21%, United States 19%, Japan 16%, Colombia 6%, Ecuador 5% (2019) |
| Debt - external | $29.589 billion (2019 est.) $28.553 billion (2018 est.) | $101.393 billion (2019 est.) $94.898 billion (2018 est.) |
| Exchange rates | Costa Rican colones (CRC) per US dollar - 573.5 (2017 est.) 544.74 (2016 est.) 544.74 (2015 est.) 534.57 (2014 est.) 538.32 (2013 est.) | balboas (PAB) per US dollar - 1 (2017 est.) 1 (2016 est.) 1 (2015 est.) 1 (2014 est.) 1 (2013 est.) |
| Fiscal year | calendar year | calendar year |
| Public debt | 48.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 44.9% of GDP (2016 est.) | 37.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 37.4% of GDP (2016 est.) |
| Reserves of foreign exchange and gold | $7.15 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $7.574 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $2.703 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $3.878 billion (31 December 2016 est.) |
| Current Account Balance | -$1.692 billion (2017 est.) -$1.326 billion (2016 est.) | -$3.036 billion (2017 est.) -$3.16 billion (2016 est.) |
| GDP (official exchange rate) | $61.855 billion (2019 est.) | $66.801 billion (2019 est.) |
| Credit ratings | Fitch rating: B (2020) Moody's rating: B2 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: B (2020) | Fitch rating: BBB (2011) Moody's rating: Baa1 (2019) Standard & Poors rating: BBB (2020) |
| Ease of Doing Business Index scores | Overall score: 69.2 (2020) Starting a Business score: 79.9 (2020) Trading score: 77.6 (2020) Enforcement score: 55.2 (2020) | Overall score: 66.6 (2020) Starting a Business score: 92 (2020) Trading score: 85.5 (2020) Enforcement score: 49 (2020) |
| Taxes and other revenues | 14.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) | 20.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) |
| Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) | -6.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) | -1.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) |
| Unemployment, youth ages 15-24 | total: 31.5% male: 28% female: 37.1% (2019 est.) | total: 12.8% male: 10.2% female: 17.5% (2019 est.) |
| GDP - composition, by end use | household consumption: 64.2% (2017 est.) government consumption: 17.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 17.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 33.3% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -32.9% (2017 est.) | household consumption: 45.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 10.7% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 42.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 3% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 41.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -44.2% (2017 est.) |
| Gross national saving | 14.2% of GDP (2019 est.) 15.2% of GDP (2018 est.) 14.9% of GDP (2017 est.) | 30% of GDP (2019 est.) 29.3% of GDP (2018 est.) 31.4% of GDP (2017 est.) |
Energy
| Costa Rica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity - production | 10.79 billion kWh (2016 est.) | 10.6 billion kWh (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - consumption | 9.812 billion kWh (2016 est.) | 8.708 billion kWh (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - exports | 643 million kWh (2015 est.) | 139 million kWh (2015 est.) |
| Electricity - imports | 807 million kWh (2016 est.) | 30 million kWh (2016 est.) |
| Oil - production | 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) | 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) |
| Oil - imports | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Oil - exports | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Oil - proved reserves | 0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.) | 0 bbl (1 January 2018) |
| Natural gas - proved reserves | 0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.) | 0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.) |
| Natural gas - production | 0 cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - consumption | 0 cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - exports | 0 cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - imports | 0 cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - installed generating capacity | 3.584 million kW (2016 est.) | 3.4 million kW (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - from fossil fuels | 18% of total installed capacity (2016 est.) | 36% of total installed capacity (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - from hydroelectric plants | 64% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 51% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - from nuclear fuels | 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - from other renewable sources | 18% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 13% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - production | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - consumption | 53,000 bbl/day (2016 est.) | 146,000 bbl/day (2016 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - exports | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 66 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - imports | 51,320 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 129,200 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Electricity access | electrification - total population: 100% (2020) | electrification - total population: 92% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 99.4% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 77% (2019) |
Telecommunications
| Costa Rica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Telephones - main lines in use | total subscriptions: 640,302 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12.7 (2019 est.) | total subscriptions: 741,269 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 19.32 (2019 est.) |
| Telephones - mobile cellular | total subscriptions: 8,550,243 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 169.59 (2019 est.) | total subscriptions: 5,599,005 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 145.92 (2019 est.) |
| Internet country code | .cr | .pa |
| Internet users | total: 3,694,974 percent of population: 74.09% (July 2018 est.) | total: 2,199,433 percent of population: 57.87% (July 2018 est.) |
| Telecommunication systems | general assessment: Costa Rica has broad telecom coverage though geographical distribution of digital service is unequal; recent regulator liberalization spurred expansion in all sectors; broadband market is the most advanced and highest penetration in Central America yet lags behind many South American countries; operators investing in NGN technology; number portability and cheaper broadband costs will increase competition; government aims to subsidize tele-health and e-learning (2021) (2018)domestic: 13 per 100 fixed-line, 162 per 100 mobile-cellular; point-to-point and point-to-multi-point microwave, fiber-optic, and coaxial cable link rural areas; Internet service is available (2019) international: country code - 506; landing points for the ARCOS-1, MAYA-1, and the PAC submarine cables that provide links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments | general assessment: domestic and international facilities well-developed; steady increase in telecom revenue with effective competition; mobile connections account for 90% of connections; government-funded program to improve Internet infrastructure; connectivity through two submarine cables; launch of LTE services; Chinese company Huawei investment in bandwidth technologies; importer of broadcasting equipment from China (2021) (2020)domestic: fixed-line 17 per 100 and rapid subscribership of mobile-cellular telephone 132 per 100 (2019) international: country code - 507; landing points for the PAN-AM, ARCOS, SAC, AURORA, PCCS, PAC, and the MAYA-1 submarine cable systems that together provide links to the US and parts of the Caribbean, Central America, and South America; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to the Central American Microwave System (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments |
| Broadband - fixed subscriptions | total: 904,734 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 17.95 (2019 est.) | total: 523,530 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13.64 (2019 est.) |
| Broadcast media | multiple privately owned TV stations and 1 publicly owned TV station; cable network services are widely available; more than 100 privately owned radio stations and a public radio network (2017) | multiple privately owned TV networks and a government-owned educational TV station; multi-channel cable and satellite TV subscription services are available; more than 100 commercial radio stations (2019) |
Transportation
| Costa Rica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Railways | total: 278 km (2014) narrow gauge: 278 km 1.067-m gauge (2014) note: the entire rail network fell into disrepair and out of use at the end of the 20th century; since 2005, certain sections of rail have been rehabilitated | total: 77 km (2014) standard gauge: 77 km 1.435-m gauge (2014) |
| Waterways | 730 km (seasonally navigable by small craft) (2011) | 800 km (includes the 82-km Panama Canal that is being widened) (2011) |
| Pipelines | 662 km refined products (2013) | 128 km oil (2013) |
| Ports and terminals | major seaport(s): Atlantic Ocean (Caribbean) - Puerto Limon Pacific Ocean - Caldera | major seaport(s): Balboa, Colon, Cristobal container port(s) (TEUs): Balboa (2,894,654), Colon (4,379,477) (2019) |
| Merchant marine | total: 10 by type: other 10 (2020) | total: 7,886 by type: bulk carrier 2,604, container ship 615, general cargo 1,347, oil tanker 789, other 2,531 (2020) |
| Airports | total: 161 (2013) | total: 117 (2013) |
| Airports - with paved runways | total: 47 (2017) 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2017) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2017) 914 to 1,523 m: 27 (2017) under 914 m: 16 (2017) | total: 57 (2017) over 3,047 m: 1 (2017) 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2017) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2017) 914 to 1,523 m: 20 (2017) under 914 m: 30 (2017) |
| Airports - with unpaved runways | total: 114 (2013) 914 to 1,523 m: 18 (2013) under 914 m: 96 (2013) | total: 60 (2013) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013) 914 to 1,523 m: 8 (2013) under 914 m: 51 (2013) |
| National air transport system | number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 39 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,948,546 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 11.13 million mt-km (2018) | number of registered air carriers: 4 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 122 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 12,939,350 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 47.63 million mt-km (2018) |
| Civil aircraft registration country code prefix | TI | HP |
Military
| Costa Rica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Military branches | no regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security: the Public Force (Fuerza Pública (National Police)), Air Surveillance Service (Servicio de Vigilancia Aérea), and National Coast Guard Service (Servicio Nacional de Guardacostas) (2021) note: Costa Rica's armed forces were constitutionally abolished in 1949 | no regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security: the Panama National Police (La Policía Nacional de Panamá, PNP), National Air-Naval Service (Servicio Nacional Aeronaval, SENAN), National Border Service (Servicio Nacional de Fronteras, SENAFRONT) (2021) note: on 10 February 1990, the government of then President Guillermo ENDARA abolished Panama's military and reformed the security apparatus by creating the Panamanian Public Forces; in October 1994, Panama's National Assembly approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting the creation of a standing military force but allowing the temporary establishment of special police units to counter acts of "external aggression" |
| Military expenditures - percent of GDP | 0.7% of GDP (2017) 0.7% of GDP (2016) 0.7% of GDP (2015) 0.8% of GDP (2014) 0.8% of GDP (2013) | 1.2% of GDP (2017) 1.3% of GDP (2016) 1.2% of GDP (2015) 1.3% of GDP (2014) 1.4% of GDP (2013) |
| Military and security service personnel strengths | 12,500 Public Force personnel; approximately 400-500 air and 400-500 coast guard personnel (2021) | approximately 20,000 National Police; 4,000 National Border Service; 3,000 National Air-Naval Service (2020) |
| Military equipment inventories and acquisitions | the Public Force is lightly armed with an inventory that includes mostly second-hand US equipment; since 2000, the only reported major equipment deliveries were from the US (light helicopters in 2012 and 2014 and second-hand coast guard cutters in 2018) (2020) | Panama's security forces are lightly armed; Canada, Italy and the US have provided equipment to the security forces since 2010 (2020) |
Transnational Issues
| Costa Rica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Disputes - international | Costa Rica and Nicaragua regularly file border dispute cases over the delimitations of the San Juan River and the northern tip of Calero Island to the International Court of Justice (ICJ); in 2009, the ICJ ruled that Costa Rican vessels carrying out police activities could not use the river, but official Costa Rican vessels providing essential services to riverside inhabitants and Costa Rican tourists could travel freely on the river; in 2011, the ICJ provisionally ruled that both countries must remove personnel from the disputed area; in 2013, the ICJ rejected Nicaragua's 2012 suit to halt Costa Rica's construction of a highway paralleling the river on the grounds of irreparable environmental damage; in 2013, the ICJ, regarding the disputed territory, ordered that Nicaragua should refrain from dredging or canal construction and refill and repair damage caused by trenches connecting the river to the Caribbean and upheld its 2010 ruling that Nicaragua must remove all personnel; in early 2014, Costa Rica brought Nicaragua to the ICJ over offshore oil concessions in the disputed region | organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia operate within the remote border region with Panama |
| Illicit drugs | transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America; illicit production of cannabis in remote areas; domestic cocaine consumption, particularly crack cocaine, is rising; significant consumption of amphetamines; seizures of smuggled cash in Costa Rica and at the main border crossing to enter Costa Rica from Nicaragua have risen in recent years | major cocaine transshipment point and primary money-laundering center for narcotics revenue; money-laundering activity is especially heavy in the Colon Free Zone; offshore financial center; negligible signs of coca cultivation; monitoring of financial transactions is improving; official corruption remains a major problem |
| Refugees and internally displaced persons | refugees (country of origin): 29,820 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum, are recognized as refugees, or received alternative legal stay) (2020) stateless persons: 199 (2020) | refugees (country of origin): 80,021 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum or have received alternative legal stay) (2021) |
Environment
| Costa Rica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Air pollutants | particulate matter emissions: 15.85 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 8.02 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 5.61 megatons (2020 est.) | particulate matter emissions: 11.18 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 10.71 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 5.97 megatons (2020 est.) |
| Total water withdrawal | municipal: 652 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 240 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 2.302 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) | municipal: 759.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 6.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 446.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) |
| Revenue from forest resources | forest revenues: 0.82% of GDP (2018 est.) | forest revenues: 0.08% of GDP (2018 est.) |
| Revenue from coal | coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) | coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) |
| Waste and recycling | municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.46 million tons (2014 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 18,396 tons (2014 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 1.3% (2014 est.) | municipal solid waste generated annually: 1,472,262 tons (2015 est.) |
Source: CIA Factbook
