Costa Rica
The latest available data for Costa Rica (2021) indicates that 6.25% of GDP was invested in public education—above the international benchmark of 4–6% and the regional average. Likewise, education accounted for 31.17% of total government expenditure, well above the global reference target of 20% and higher than the regional average. Public spending per school-age person was US$ 4,181.55 (2021), also above regional levels. These figures place Costa Rica among the few countries in the region that meet or exceed both global education financing benchmarks. However, equity and inclusion challenges persist, particularly in relation to socioeconomic inequalities and the retention of marginalized groups.
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Costa Rica stands out for its sustained investment in education relative to both its national economy and government budget. In 2021, 6.25% of GDP and 31.17% of total government spending were devoted to public education—significantly above international and regional targets.
Public expenditure on education as a % of GDP
Public expenditure on education as a % of total public expenditure
The per capita spending of US$ 4,181.55 per school-age person reflects a notable financial commitment to the education sector. However, it remains significantly below the OECD average, estimated at around US$ 10,500 per student in the same year.
Public spending per school-age person
Despite Costa Rica’s robust financial investment, equity indicators reveal that gaps persist in terms of both gender and income. The gender ratio in 2022 was 0.95, slightly below the regional average, indicating near parity but with a marginally lower attendance rate among girls. The wealth parity index, at 1.06, suggests that children from the richest households are only slightly more likely to attend school than those from the poorest. This figure is below the regional average, reflecting a comparatively more equal distribution of educational access across income groups. Continued investment in inclusive and equity-focused policies will be essential to ensure that the benefits of high spending are evenly shared across all sectors of society.