Costa Rica's Employment Figures Remain Steady for Third Consecutive Quarter
The National Institute of Statistics and Census reports stable employment levels amid changes in gender dynamics and sectors of activity.
The employed population in Costa Rica totaled 2,227,733 individuals in the mobile quarter that includes February, March, and April, according to data released by the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC).
This figure marks an increase of 82,444 workers compared to the same period last year, when the total was 2,145,289.
However, the INEC indicated that this increase was not statistically significant, marking the third consecutive quarter where the national employment indicator has exhibited no substantial variations.
Gender-wise, the employment dynamics diverged notably, with female employment showing a significant increase of 54,579 women compared to the same period last year.
Male employment also rose, with an increase of 27,865 individuals, although this change was deemed not statistically significant.
The total employed population comprised 1,344,042 men and 883,691 women.
The employed population includes those who participated in the production of goods and services and worked at least one hour during the week referenced in the survey.
Of the 2,227,733 employed individuals, approximately 1.66 million were salaried workers, representing 74.4% of the total.
In addition, 561,000 were self-employed, and 10,000 were unpaid family workers.
In terms of economic activity, 354,000 individuals were employed in commerce and repair, accounting for 15.9% of the total workforce.
The education and health sectors followed with 263,000 employees, while the manufacturing industry employed 250,000 people.
The INEC also estimated that around 153,000 salaried workers engaged in remote work during the analyzed quarter, which constitutes 9.3% of salaried employees.
Among these, 85,000 were men, and 69,000 were women.
The national occupancy rate was reported at 52.5%, while the net participation rate, reflecting the percentage of individuals aged 15 and older within the labor force, was recorded at 56.6%.
Male labor force participation stood at 67.6%, whereas female participation reached 45.6%.
The total labor force, comprising both employed and unemployed persons aged 15 and older, increased from 2,329,872 in the quarter ending April 2024 to 2,402,560 in the same period of 2025.
The national unemployment rate remained stable at 7.3%, unchanged from the same period last year.
In the analyzed period, 174,827 individuals were counted as unemployed, down from 184,583 in the same quarter of 2024.
Informal employment encompassed 37.1% of the total employed population, consistent with the previous year, equating to approximately 827,000 workers, of which 519,000 were men and 309,000 were women.
This figure marks an increase of 82,444 workers compared to the same period last year, when the total was 2,145,289.
However, the INEC indicated that this increase was not statistically significant, marking the third consecutive quarter where the national employment indicator has exhibited no substantial variations.
Gender-wise, the employment dynamics diverged notably, with female employment showing a significant increase of 54,579 women compared to the same period last year.
Male employment also rose, with an increase of 27,865 individuals, although this change was deemed not statistically significant.
The total employed population comprised 1,344,042 men and 883,691 women.
The employed population includes those who participated in the production of goods and services and worked at least one hour during the week referenced in the survey.
Of the 2,227,733 employed individuals, approximately 1.66 million were salaried workers, representing 74.4% of the total.
In addition, 561,000 were self-employed, and 10,000 were unpaid family workers.
In terms of economic activity, 354,000 individuals were employed in commerce and repair, accounting for 15.9% of the total workforce.
The education and health sectors followed with 263,000 employees, while the manufacturing industry employed 250,000 people.
The INEC also estimated that around 153,000 salaried workers engaged in remote work during the analyzed quarter, which constitutes 9.3% of salaried employees.
Among these, 85,000 were men, and 69,000 were women.
The national occupancy rate was reported at 52.5%, while the net participation rate, reflecting the percentage of individuals aged 15 and older within the labor force, was recorded at 56.6%.
Male labor force participation stood at 67.6%, whereas female participation reached 45.6%.
The total labor force, comprising both employed and unemployed persons aged 15 and older, increased from 2,329,872 in the quarter ending April 2024 to 2,402,560 in the same period of 2025.
The national unemployment rate remained stable at 7.3%, unchanged from the same period last year.
In the analyzed period, 174,827 individuals were counted as unemployed, down from 184,583 in the same quarter of 2024.
Informal employment encompassed 37.1% of the total employed population, consistent with the previous year, equating to approximately 827,000 workers, of which 519,000 were men and 309,000 were women.