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Nicaragua vs. Costa Rica

Introduction

NicaraguaCosta Rica
BackgroundThe Pacific coast of Nicaragua was settled as a Spanish colony from Panama in the early 16th century. Independence from Spain was declared in 1821 and the country became an independent republic in 1838. Britain occupied the Caribbean Coast in the first half of the 19th century, but gradually ceded control of the region in subsequent decades. Violent opposition to governmental manipulation and corruption spread to all classes by 1978 and resulted in a short-lived civil war that brought a civic-military coalition, spearheaded by the Marxist Sandinista guerrillas led by Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra to power in 1979. Nicaraguan aid to leftist rebels in El Salvador prompted the US to sponsor anti-Sandinista contra guerrillas through much of the 1980s. After losing free and fair elections in 1990, 1996, and 2001, former Sandinista President Daniel ORTEGA was elected president in 2006, 2011, and most recently in 2016. Municipal, regional, and national-level elections since 2008 have been marred by widespread irregularities. Democratic institutions have weakened under the ORTEGA administration as the president has garnered full control over all branches of government, especially after cracking down on a nationwide antigovernment protest movement in 2018.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.

Geography

NicaraguaCosta Rica
LocationCentral America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and HondurasCentral America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama
Geographic coordinates13 00 N, 85 00 W10 00 N, 84 00 W
Map referencesCentral America and the CaribbeanCentral America and the Caribbean
Areatotal: 130,370 sq km

land: 119,990 sq km

water: 10,380 sq km
total: 51,100 sq km

land: 51,060 sq km

water: 40 sq km

note: includes Isla del Coco
Area - comparativeslightly larger than Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than New York stateslightly smaller than West Virginia
Land boundariestotal: 1,253 km

border countries (2): Costa Rica 313 km, Honduras 940 km
total: 661 km

border countries (2): Nicaragua 313 km, Panama 348 km
Coastline910 km1,290 km
Maritime claimsterritorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

continental shelf: natural prolongation
territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm
Climatetropical in lowlands, cooler in highlandstropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands
Terrainextensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoescoastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major active volcanoes
Elevation extremeshighest point: Mogoton 2,085 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 298 m
highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,819 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 746 m
Natural resourcesgold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber, fishhydropower
Land useagricultural land: 42.2% (2018 est.)

arable land: 12.5% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 2.5% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 27.2% (2018 est.)

forest: 25.3% (2018 est.)

other: 32.5% (2018 est.)
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.)
Irrigated land1,990 sq km (2012)1,015 sq km (2012)
Natural hazards

destructive earthquakes; volcanoes; landslides; extremely susceptible to hurricanes

volcanism: significant volcanic activity; Cerro Negro (728 m), which last erupted in 1999, is one of Nicaragua's most active volcanoes; its lava flows and ash have been known to cause significant damage to farmland and buildings; other historically active volcanoes include Concepcion, Cosiguina, Las Pilas, Masaya, Momotombo, San Cristobal, and Telica

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

Environment - current issuesdeforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; droughtdeforestation 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
Environment - international agreementsparty 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, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected 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
Geography - notelargest country in Central America; contains the largest freshwater body in Central America, Lago de Nicaraguafour 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
Total renewable water resources164.52 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)113 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Population distributionthe overwhelming majority of the population resides in the western half of the country, with much of the urban growth centered in the capital city of Managua; coastal areas also show large population clustersroughly 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

Demographics

NicaraguaCosta Rica
Population6,243,931 (July 2021 est.)5,151,140 (July 2021 est.)
Age structure0-14 years: 25.63% (male 811,731/female 777,984)

15-24 years: 19.51% (male 609,962/female 600,567)

25-54 years: 42.41% (male 1,254,683/female 1,376,052)

55-64 years: 6.63% (male 188,591/female 222,766)

65 years and over: 5.82% (male 159,140/female 201,965) (2020 est.)
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.)
Median agetotal: 27.3 years

male: 26.4 years

female: 28.2 years (2020 est.)
total: 32.6 years

male: 32.1 years

female: 33.1 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate0.93% (2021 est.)1.04% (2021 est.)
Birth rate16.71 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)14.53 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Death rate5.16 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)4.86 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Net migration rate-2.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)0.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sex ratioat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.91 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.85 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
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.)
Infant mortality ratetotal: 19.57 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 22.83 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 16.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
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.)
Life expectancy at birthtotal population: 74.51 years

male: 72.28 years

female: 76.86 years (2021 est.)
total population: 79.41 years

male: 76.75 years

female: 82.22 years (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate1.81 children born/woman (2021 est.)1.87 children born/woman (2021 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate0.2% (2020 est.)0.4% (2020 est.)
Nationalitynoun: Nicaraguan(s)

adjective: Nicaraguan
noun: Costa Rican(s)

adjective: Costa Rican
Ethnic groupsMestizo (mixed Amerindian and White) 69%, White 17%, Black 9%, Amerindian 5%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.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS12,000 (2020 est.)16,000 (2020 est.)
ReligionsRoman Catholic 50%, Evangelical 33.2%, other 2.9%, none 0.7%, unspecified 13.2% (2017 est.)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.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths<500 (2020 est.)<500 (2020 est.)
LanguagesSpanish (official) 95.3%, Miskito 2.2%, Mestizo of the Caribbean coast 2%, other 0.5%; note - English and indigenous languages found on the Caribbean coast (2005 est.)

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), 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.
Literacydefinition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 82.6%

male: 82.4%

female: 82.8% (2015)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97.9%

male: 97.8%

female: 97.9% (2018)
Major infectious diseasesdegree of risk: high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
degree of risk: intermediate (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever
Education expenditures4.4% of GDP (2017)7% of GDP (2019)
Urbanizationurban population: 59.3% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 1.45% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
urban population: 81.4% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 1.5% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Drinking water sourceimproved: urban: 97.6% of population

rural: 62.6% of population

total: 83.1% of population

unimproved: urban: 2.4% of population

rural: 37.4% of population

total: 16.9% of population (2017 est.)
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.)
Sanitation facility accessimproved: urban: 89.8% of population

rural: 66.5% of population

total: 80.1% of population

unimproved: urban: 10.2% of population

rural: 33.5% of population

total: 19.9% of population (2017 est.)
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.)
Major cities - population1.073 million MANAGUA (capital) (2021)1.421 million SAN JOSE (capital) (2021)
Maternal mortality rate198 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)27 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight4.6% (2011/12)2.9% (2018)
Health expenditures8.6% (2018)7.6% (2018)
Physicians density0.98 physicians/1,000 population (2018)2.89 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Hospital bed density0.9 beds/1,000 population (2017)1.1 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate23.7% (2016)25.7% (2016)
Demographic profile

Despite being one of the poorest countries in Latin America, Nicaragua has improved its access to potable water and sanitation and has ameliorated its life expectancy, infant and child mortality, and immunization rates. However, income distribution is very uneven, and the poor, agriculturalists, and indigenous people continue to have less access to healthcare services. Nicaragua's total fertility rate has fallen from around 6 children per woman in 1980 to below replacement level today, but the high birth rate among adolescents perpetuates a cycle of poverty and low educational attainment.

Nicaraguans emigrate primarily to Costa Rica and to a lesser extent the United States. Nicaraguan men have been migrating seasonally to Costa Rica to harvest bananas and coffee since the early 20th century. Political turmoil, civil war, and natural disasters from the 1970s through the 1990s dramatically increased the flow of refugees and permanent migrants seeking jobs, higher wages, and better social and healthcare benefits. Since 2000, Nicaraguan emigration to Costa Rica has slowed and stabilized. Today roughly 300,000 Nicaraguans are permanent residents of Costa Rica - about 75% of the foreign population - and thousands more migrate seasonally for work, many illegally.

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.

Contraceptive prevalence rate80.4% (2011/12)70.9% (2018)
Dependency ratiostotal dependency ratio: 54.3

youth dependency ratio: 45.5

elderly dependency ratio: 8.8

potential support ratio: 11.4 (2020 est.)
total dependency ratio: 45.1

youth dependency ratio: 30.2

elderly dependency ratio: 14.9

potential support ratio: 6.7 (2020 est.)

Government

NicaraguaCosta Rica
Country nameconventional long form: Republic of Nicaragua

conventional short form: Nicaragua

local long form: Republica de Nicaragua

local short form: Nicaragua

etymology: Nicarao was the name of the largest indigenous settlement at the time of Spanish arrival; conquistador Gil GONZALEZ Davila, who explored the area (1622-23), combined the name of the community with the Spanish word "agua" (water), referring to the two large lakes in the west of the country (Lake Managua and Lake Nicaragua)
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
Government typepresidential republicpresidential republic
Capitalname: Managua

geographic coordinates: 12 08 N, 86 15 W

time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: may derive from the indigenous Nahuatl term "mana-ahuac," which translates as "adjacent to the water" or a site "surrounded by water"; the city is situated on the southwestern shore of Lake Managua
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
Administrative divisions15 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 2 autonomous regions* (regiones autonomistas, singular - region autonoma); Boaco, Carazo, Chinandega, Chontales, Costa Caribe Norte*, Costa Caribe Sur*, Esteli, Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz, Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia, Rio San Juan, Rivas7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose
Independence15 September 1821 (from Spain)15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holidayIndependence Day, 15 September (1821)Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitutionhistory: several previous; latest adopted 19 November 1986, effective 9 January 1987

amendments: proposed by the president of the republic or assent of at least half of the National Assembly membership; passage requires approval by 60% of the membership of the next elected Assembly and promulgation by the president of the republic; amended several times, last in 2021
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
Legal systemcivil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative actscivil law system based on Spanish civil code; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court
Suffrage16 years of age; universal18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branchchief of state: President Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (since 10 January 2007); Vice President Rosario MURILLO Zambrana (since 10 January 2017); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (since 10 January 2007); Vice President Rosario MURILLO Zambrana (since 10 January 2017)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by qualified plurality vote for a 5-year term (no term limits as of 2014); election last held on 6 November 2016 (next to be held on 7 November 2021)

election results:
2016: Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra reelected president; percent of vote - Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (FSLN) 72.4%, Maximino RODRIGUEZ (PLC) 15%, Jose del Carmen ALVARADO (PLI) 4.5%, Saturnino CERRATO Hodgson (ALN) 4.3%, other 3.7%

2011: Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra reelected president; percent of vote - Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (FSLN) 62.5%, Fabio GADEA Mantilla (PLI) 31%, Arnoldo ALEMAN (PLC) 5.9%, other 0.6%
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%
Legislative branchdescription: unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (92 seats; 70 members in multi-seat constituencies, representing the country's 15 departments and 2 autonomous regions, and 20 members in a single nationwide constituency directly elected by party-list proportional representation vote; 2 seats reserved for the previous president and the runner-up candidate in the previous presidential election; members serve 5-year terms)

elections: last held on 6 November 2016 (next to be held on 7 November 2021)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FSLN 71, PLC 14, ALN 2, PLI 2, APRE 1, PC 1, YATAMA 1; composition - men 50, women 42, percent of women 45.7%
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%
Judicial branchhighest courts: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of 16 judges organized into administrative, civil, criminal, and constitutional chambers)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges elected by the National Assembly to serve 5-year staggered terms

subordinate courts: Appeals Court; first instance civil, criminal, and labor courts; military courts are independent of the Supreme Court
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
Political parties and leadersAlliance for the Republic or APRE [Carlos CANALES]
Conservative Party or PC [Alfredo CESAR]
Independent Liberal Party or PLI [Jose del Carmen ALVARADO]
Liberal Constitutionalist Party or PLC [Maria Haydee OSUNA]
Nicaraguan Liberal Alliance or ALN [Alejandro MEJIA Ferreti]
Sandinista National Liberation Front or FSLN [Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra]
Sandinista Renovation Movement or MRS [Suyen BARAHONA]
Sons of Mother Earth or YATAMA [Brooklyn RIVERA]
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]
International organization participationBCIE, CACM, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Petrocaribe, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTOBCIE, 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
Diplomatic representation in the USchief of mission: Ambassador Francisco Obadiah CAMPBELL Hooker (since 28 June 2010)

chancery: 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 939-6570; [1] (202) 939-6573

FAX: [1] (202) 939-6545

consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco
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)
Diplomatic representation from the USchief of mission: Ambassador Kevin K. SULLIVAN (since 18 December 2018)

embassy: Kilometer 5.5 Carretera Sur, Managua

mailing address: 3240 Managua Place, Washington DC  20521-3240

telephone: [505] 2252-7100,

FAX: [505] 2252-7250

email address and website:
ACS.Managua@state.gov

https://ni.usembassy.gov/
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/
Flag descriptionthree equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on the top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; the banner is based on the former blue-white-blue flag of the Federal Republic of Central America; the blue bands symbolize the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, while the white band represents the land between the two bodies of water

note: similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band
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
National anthemname: "Salve a ti, Nicaragua" (Hail to Thee, Nicaragua)

lyrics/music: Salomon Ibarra MAYORGA/traditional, arranged by Luis Abraham DELGADILLO

note: although only officially adopted in 1971, the music was approved in 1918 and the lyrics in 1939; the tune, originally from Spain, was used as an anthem for Nicaragua from the 1830s until 1876
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
International law organization participationaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCtaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
National symbol(s)turquoise-browed motmot (bird); national colors: blue, whiteyiguirro (clay-colored robin); national colors: blue, white, red
Citizenshipcitizenship by birth: yes

citizenship by descent only: yes

dual citizenship recognized: no, except in cases where bilateral agreements exist

residency requirement for naturalization: 4 years
citizenship by birth: yes

citizenship by descent only: yes

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years

Economy

NicaraguaCosta Rica
Economy - overview

Nicaragua, the poorest country in Central America and the second poorest in the Western Hemisphere, has widespread underemployment and poverty. GDP growth of 4.5% in 2017 was insufficient to make a significant difference. Textiles and agriculture combined account for nearly 50% of Nicaragua's exports. Beef, coffee, and gold are Nicaragua's top three export commodities.

The Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement has been in effect since April 2006 and has expanded export opportunities for many Nicaraguan agricultural and manufactured goods.

In 2013, the government granted a 50-year concession with the option for an additional 50 years to a newly formed Chinese-run company to finance and build an inter-oceanic canal and related projects, at an estimated cost of $50 billion. The canal construction has not started.

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.

GDP (purchasing power parity)$35.392 billion (2019 est.)

$36.82 billion (2018 est.)

$38.334 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
$99.146 billion (2019 est.)

$97.122 billion (2018 est.)

$94.605 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP - real growth rate4.9% (2017 est.)

4.7% (2016 est.)

4.8% (2015 est.)
3.3% (2017 est.)

4.2% (2016 est.)

3.6% (2015 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)$5,407 (2019 est.)

$5,695 (2018 est.)

$6,004 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
$19,642 (2019 est.)

$19,427 (2018 est.)

$19,112 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP - composition by sectoragriculture: 15.5% (2017 est.)

industry: 24.4% (2017 est.)

services: 60% (2017 est.)
agriculture: 5.5% (2017 est.)

industry: 20.6% (2017 est.)

services: 73.9% (2017 est.)
Population below poverty line24.9% (2016 est.)21% (2019 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage sharelowest 10%: 1.8%

highest 10%: 47.1% (2014)
lowest 10%: 1.5%

highest 10%: 36.9% (2014 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)5.3% (2019 est.)

4.9% (2018 est.)

3.8% (2017 est.)
2% (2019 est.)

2.2% (2018 est.)

1.6% (2017 est.)
Labor force3.046 million (2017 est.)1.843 million (2020 est.)

note: official estimate; excludes Nicaraguans living in Costa Rica
Labor force - by occupationagriculture: 31%

industry: 18%

services: 50% (2011 est.)
agriculture: 14%

industry: 22%

services: 64% (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate6.4% (2017 est.)

6.2% (2016 est.)

note: underemployment was 46.5% in 2008
8.1% (2017 est.)

9.5% (2016 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index46.2 (2014 est.)

45.8 (2009)
48 (2018 est.)

49.2 (2013)
Budgetrevenues: 3.871 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 4.15 billion (2017 est.)
revenues: 8.357 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 11.92 billion (2017 est.)
Industriesfood processing, chemicals, machinery and metal products, knit and woven apparel, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear, wood, electric wire harness manufacturing, miningmedical equipment, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products
Industrial production growth rate3.5% (2017 est.)1.3% (2017 est.)
Agriculture - productssugar cane, milk, rice, maize, plantains, groundnuts, cassava, beans, coffee, poultrysugar cane, pineapples, bananas, milk, oil palm fruit, fruit, oranges, watermelons, cassava, rice
Exports$3.819 billion (2017 est.)

$3.772 billion (2016 est.)
$10.81 billion (2017 est.)

$10.15 billion (2016 est.)
Exports - commoditiesclothing and apparel, gold, insulated wiring, coffee, beef (2019)medical instruments, bananas, tropical fruits, orthopedic appliances, food preparations (2019)
Exports - partnersUnited States 60%, El Salvador 5%, Mexico 5% (2019)United States 38%, Netherlands 6%, Belgium 5%, Guatemala 5%, Panama 5% (2019)
Imports$6.613 billion (2017 est.)

$6.384 billion (2016 est.)
$15.15 billion (2017 est.)

$14.53 billion (2016 est.)
Imports - commoditiesrefined petroleum, clothing and apparel, crude petroleum, packaged medicines, insulated wiring (2019)refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, cars, medical instruments, packaged medicines (2019)
Imports - partnersUnited States 27%, Mexico 12%, China 11%, Guatemala 9%, Costa Rica 7%, El Salvador 6%, Honduras 6% (2019)United States 41%, China 13%, Mexico 7% (2019)
Debt - external$11.674 billion (2019 est.)

$11.771 billion (2018 est.)
$29.589 billion (2019 est.)

$28.553 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange ratescordobas (NIO) per US dollar -

30.11 (2017 est.)

28.678 (2016 est.)

28.678 (2015 est.)

27.257 (2014 est.)

26.01 (2013 est.)
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.)
Fiscal yearcalendar yearcalendar year
Public debt33.3% of GDP (2017 est.)

31.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

note: official data; data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by Government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as retirement, medical care, and unemployment, debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions; Nicaragua rebased its GDP figures in 2012, which reduced the figures for debt as a percentage of GDP
48.9% of GDP (2017 est.)

44.9% of GDP (2016 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold$2.758 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$2.448 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$7.15 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$7.574 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Current Account Balance-$694 million (2017 est.)

-$989 million (2016 est.)
-$1.692 billion (2017 est.)

-$1.326 billion (2016 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)$12.57 billion (2019 est.)$61.855 billion (2019 est.)
Credit ratingsFitch rating: B- (2018)

Moody's rating: B3 (2020)

Standard & Poors rating: B- (2018)
Fitch rating: B (2020)

Moody's rating: B2 (2020)

Standard & Poors rating: B (2020)
Ease of Doing Business Index scoresOverall score: 54.4 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 79.6 (2020)

Trading score: 77 (2020)

Enforcement score: 58.6 (2020)
Overall score: 69.2 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 79.9 (2020)

Trading score: 77.6 (2020)

Enforcement score: 55.2 (2020)
Taxes and other revenues28% (of GDP) (2017 est.)14.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)-2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)-6.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24total: 8.5%

male: 6.4%

female: 12.9% (2014 est.)
total: 31.5%

male: 28%

female: 37.1% (2019 est.)
GDP - composition, by end usehousehold consumption: 69.9% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 15.3% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 28.1% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 1.7% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 41.2% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -55.4% (2017 est.)
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.)
Gross national saving22.6% of GDP (2019 est.)

21.9% of GDP (2018 est.)

22.4% of GDP (2017 est.)
14.2% of GDP (2019 est.)

15.2% of GDP (2018 est.)

14.9% of GDP (2017 est.)

Energy

NicaraguaCosta Rica
Electricity - production4.454 billion kWh (2016 est.)10.79 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption3.59 billion kWh (2016 est.)9.812 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports17.87 million kWh (2016 est.)643 million kWh (2015 est.)
Electricity - imports205 million kWh (2016 est.)807 million kWh (2016 est.)
Oil - production0 bbl/day (2018 est.)0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Oil - imports16,180 bbl/day (2015 est.)0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - exports0 bbl/day (2015 est.)0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - proved reserves0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves0 cu m (1 January 2015 est.)0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
Natural gas - production0 cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption0 cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports0 cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports0 cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2017 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity1.551 million kW (2016 est.)3.584 million kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels56% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)18% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants9% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)64% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources35% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)18% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production14,720 bbl/day (2015 est.)0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption37,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)53,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports460 bbl/day (2015 est.)0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports20,120 bbl/day (2015 est.)51,320 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Electricity accesselectrification - total population: 97% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 99.2% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 92% (2019)
electrification - total population: 100% (2020)

Telecommunications

NicaraguaCosta Rica
Telephones - main lines in usetotal subscriptions: 228,782

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3.73 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 640,302

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12.7 (2019 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellulartotal subscriptions: 5,788,432

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 94.46 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 8,550,243

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 169.59 (2019 est.)
Internet country code.ni.cr
Internet userstotal: 1,695,340

percent of population: 27.86% (July 2018 est.)
total: 3,694,974

percent of population: 74.09% (July 2018 est.)
Telecommunication systemsgeneral assessment:

with authoritarian government, weak public institutions, and impoverished citizenry, Nicaragua's telecom system is dependent on upgrades through foreign investment, primarily from Russia and China; World Bank funded national fiber broadband network and links to Caribbean submarine cables; Chinese-financed projects, including airport, oil pipeline, and roads in process; nearly all installed telecom capacity now uses financed digital technology; lowest fixed-line tele-density and mobile penetration in Central America; Internet cafes provide access to Internet and email services; rural areas lack access to most basic telecom infrastructure; LTE service in dozens of towns and cities; importer of broadcasting equipment and computers from China (2021)

(2020)

domestic: since privatization, access to fixed-line and mobile-cellular services has improved; fixed-line teledensity roughly 4 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone subscribership has increased to 88 per 100 persons (2019)

international: country code - 505; landing point for the ARCOS fiber-optic submarine cable which provides connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) and 1 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:

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

Broadband - fixed subscriptionstotal: 217,618

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3.55 (2019 est.)
total: 904,734

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 17.95 (2019 est.)
Broadcast mediamultiple terrestrial TV stations, supplemented by cable TV in most urban areas; nearly all are government-owned or affiliated; more than 300 radio stations, both government-affiliated and privately owned (2019)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)

Transportation

NicaraguaCosta Rica
Roadwaystotal: 23,897 km (2014)

paved: 3,346 km (2014)

unpaved: 20,551 km (2014)
total: 5,035 km (2017)
Waterways2,220 km (navigable waterways as well as the use of the large Lake Managua and Lake Nicaragua; rivers serve only the sparsely populated eastern part of the country) (2011)730 km (seasonally navigable by small craft) (2011)
Pipelines54 km oil (2013)662 km refined products (2013)
Ports and terminalsmajor seaport(s): Bluefields, Corintomajor seaport(s): Atlantic Ocean (Caribbean) - Puerto Limon

Pacific Ocean - Caldera
Merchant marinetotal: 5

by type: general cargo 1, oil tanker 1, other 3 (2020)
total: 10

by type: other 10 (2020)
Airportstotal: 147 (2013)total: 161 (2013)
Airports - with paved runwaystotal: 12 (2017)

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2017)

under 914 m: 4 (2017)
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)
Airports - with unpaved runwaystotal: 135 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m: 15 (2013)

under 914 m: 119 (2013)
total: 114 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m: 18 (2013)

under 914 m: 96 (2013)
National air transport systemnumber of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 7
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)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefixYNTI

Military

NicaraguaCosta Rica
Military branchesArmy of Nicaragua (Ejercito de Nicaragua, EN): Land Forces (Fuerza Terrestre); Naval Forces (Fuerza Naval); Air Forces (Fuerza Aérea); Special Operations Command (Comando de Operaciones Especiales) (2021)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
Military expenditures - percent of GDP0.7% of GDP (2019)

0.6% of GDP (2018)

0.6% of GDP (2017)

0.5% of GDP (2016)

0.8% of GDP (2015)
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)
Military and security service personnel strengthsthe Army of Nicaragua has approximately 12,000 active personnel (10,000 Army; 800 Navy; 1,200 Air Force) (2021)12,500 Public Force personnel; approximately 400-500 air and 400-500 coast guard personnel (2021)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitionsthe Nicaraguan military's inventory includes mostly second-hand Russian/Soviet-era equipment; since 2010, Russia is the leading arms supplier to Nicaragua (2020)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)

Transnational Issues

NicaraguaCosta Rica
Disputes - international

the 1992 ICJ ruling for El Salvador and Honduras advised a tripartite resolution to establish a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca, which considers Honduran access to the Pacific; Nicaragua and Costa Rica regularly file border dispute cases over the delimitations of the San Juan River and the northern tip of Calero Island to the ICJ; there is an ongoing case in the ICJ to determine Pacific and Atlantic ocean maritime borders as well as land borders; 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; Nicaragua filed a case against Colombia in 2013 over the delimitation of the Continental shelf beyond the 200 nautical miles from the Nicaraguan coast, as well as over the alleged violation by Colombia of Nicaraguan maritime space in the Caribbean Sea

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

Illicit drugstransshipment point for cocaine destined for the US and transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealingtransshipment 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
Trafficking in personscurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Nicaragua and Nicaraguans abroad; women, children, and migrants are most at risk; women and children are subject to sex trafficking within the country and its two Caribbean autonomous regions, as well as  in other Central American countries, Mexico, Spain, and the United States; traffickers used social media to recruit victims with promises of high-paying jobs in restaurants, hotels, construction, and security outside of Nicaragua where they are subjected to sex or labor trafficking; traffickers exploit children through forced participation in illegal drug production and trafficking; children and persons with disabilities are subjected to forced begging; Nicaragua is also a destination for child sex tourists from the United States, Canada, and Western Europe

tier rating: Tier 3 - Nicaragua does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so and was downgraded to Tier 3; the government identified slightly more victims than in the previous reporting period and prosecuted a trafficker; however, no traffickers were convicted and victim identification remained inadequate; authorities did not  investigate, prosecute, or convict government employees complicit in trafficking; the government provided no victim services; prosecution, protection, and prevention efforts in the two Caribbean autonomous regions of Nicaragua continued to be much weaker than in the rest of the country (2020)
current situation: Costa Rica is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; Costa Rican women and children, as well as those from Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and other Latin American countries, are sex trafficked in Costa Rica; child sex tourism is a particular problem with offenders coming from the US and Europe; men and children from Central America, including indigenous Panamanians, and Asia are exploited in agriculture, construction, fishing, and commerce; Nicaraguans transit Costa Rica to reach Panama, where some are subjected to forced labor or sex trafficking

tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Costa Rica does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts declined in 2014, with fewer prosecutions and no convictions and no actions taken against complicit government personnel; some officials conflated trafficking with smuggling, and authorities reported the diversion of funds to combat smuggling hindered anti-trafficking efforts; the government identified more victims than the previous year but did not make progress in ensuring that victims received adequate protective services; specialized services were limited and mostly provided by NGOs without government support, even from a dedicated fund for anti-trafficking efforts; victims services were virtually non-existent outside of the capital (2015)

Environment

NicaraguaCosta Rica
Air pollutantsparticulate matter emissions: 16.87 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 5.59 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 6.46 megatons (2020 est.)
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.)
Total water withdrawalmunicipal: 286 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 73.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 1.185 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
municipal: 652 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 240 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 2.302 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Revenue from forest resourcesforest revenues: 1.26% of GDP (2018 est.)forest revenues: 0.82% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coalcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recyclingmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1,528,816 tons (2010 est.)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.)

Source: CIA Factbook