Resource information
Costa Rica stands out for being one of
the most politically stable, progressive, and prosperous
nations in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Political
stability and inclusive social policies have contributed to
solid growth rates and the modernization of the country. The
combination of political stability, the social compact and
steady growth, has resulted in one of the lowest poverty
rates in LAC. Costa Rica is also a global leader for its
environmental policies and accomplishments, which have
helped the country to build its Green Trademark. The
pioneering payments for environmental services program has
been successful in promoting forest and biodiversity
conservation and Costa Rica is the only tropical country in
the world that has reversed deforestation. Two pressing
development challenges stand out: the deteriorating fiscal
situation and stubborn inequality. These challenges cut
across the fabric of Costa Rica’s development model and
affect the basic pillars of development: inclusion, growth,
and sustainability. The new government seeks to address
these problems and is committed to an inclusive society that
guarantees the welfare of its people, supported by
transparent and accountable public institutions. The World
Bank Group’s (WBG’s) new country partnership framework (CPF)
seeks to support Costa Rica’s objectives of reducing
constraints to productive inclusion and bolstering fiscal,
social, and environmental sustainability.
