Costa Rica has been known to have stability in most of the major areas, including its economy, which is one that largely depends on tourism, agriculture, services and electronics exports; with major companies like Intel, Hewlett Packard, Dole and many others setting up operations in the country. Over the past 15 years, the poverty index has been considerably reduced, which has allowed the government to put into place a strong social safety net.
The country's political stability and high levels of education have continued to attract foreign investors over the years and the tourism industry continues to bring foreign exchange. Some say that the force that the tourism industry has taken has actually hurt some other sectors, like the traditional exports, with low coffee prices and an overabundance of bananas, which insinuates that they have not been able to keep up.
Here are some facts on the Costa Rican economy as of January 2009:
GDP (2007): $26.23 billion.
GDP PPP (2006 est.): $52.22 billion.
Inflation (2007 est.): 10.81%.
Real growth rate (2007 est.): 7.3%.
Per capita income (2006): $5,100. (PPP $11,862, 2006 est.)
Unemployment (2007 est.): 4.6%.
Currency: Costa Rica Colon (CRC).
Natural resources: Hydroelectric power, forest products, fisheries products.
Agriculture (8.7% of GDP): Products--bananas, pineapples, coffee, beef, sugar, rice, dairy products, vegetables, fruits and ornamental plants.
Industry (28.9% of GDP): Types--electronic components, food processing, textiles and apparel, construction materials, fertilizer, medical equipment.
Commerce, tourism, and services (62.4% of GDP): Hotels, restaurants, tourist services, banks, and insurance.
Trade (2006 est.): Exports--$8.198 billion: integrated circuits, medical equipment, bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar, textiles, electronic components, medical equipment. Major markets--U.S. 38.6%, China 6.8%, Hong Kong 6.4%, Netherlands 6.1%, Guatemala 4.0%. Imports--$11.576 billion: raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum. Major suppliers--U.S. 39.3%, Japan 5.1%, Venezuela 5.0%, Mexico 5.2%, China 4.8%, Ireland 4.5%, Brazil 3.4%.
