Costa Rica is increasingly recognized as a powerhouse for service exports in the Americas, fueled by a knowledge-driven economy, a wealth of skilled professionals, and innovative, high-value solutions.
Costa Rica’s Booming Service Sector
According to the “Export Dynamism of Costa Rica’s Services Sector,” a comprehensive study by the Trade & Investment Promotion Agency of Costa Rica (PROCOMER), the nation’s service exports reached an impressive $16.114 billion USD in 2024. This figure represents roughly 17% of Costa Rica’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), demonstrating the sector’s crucial contribution to the national economy. What’s even more impressive is the average annual growth rate of 8% sustained over the preceding five years, showing consistent expansion and strength.
Economic Transformation
Costa Rica’s economic landscape has dramatically shifted, with the service sector now generating three out of every four dollars of GDP. This transformation positions the country as a competitive force that leverages innovation, maintains institutional stability, and boasts a highly specialized workforce. Services currently make up approximately 45% of Costa Rica’s total exports, including goods and services. Even when tourism, a significant industry, is excluded, services still account for a substantial 35% of exports. This diverse portfolio encompasses everything from corporate solutions and digital services to cutting-edge information technologies, robust cybersecurity measures, data analytics, and other knowledge-intensive activities.
PROCOMER’s Perspective
“The remarkable performance of our service sector is not accidental,” states Laura López, CEO of PROCOMER. “It reflects Costa Rica’s successful transition towards an economy where knowledge, creativity, and technology generate tangible value for businesses and create opportunities for our citizens. Costa Rica is solidifying its position as a strategic partner for global companies seeking talent, stability, and a thriving ecosystem for innovation. We are committed to expanding this potential and supporting even more companies that recognize Costa Rica as a place where they can grow and make a significant impact.”
Key Service Export Categories
In 2024, business services dominated the service export landscape, contributing $6.698 billion USD, which is 42% of the total. Tourism accounted for 34% of the total. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services followed with $2.388 billion USD, or 15% of the total. Importantly, knowledge-intensive activities overall constituted 58% of total service exports, achieving an average annual growth rate of 10% over the past five years. This reinforces the sophistication and maturity of Costa Rica’s specialized services ecosystem.
Diversification is Key
This data reveals that Costa Rica’s service sector isn’t reliant on a single segment. Instead, it offers a diversified range of solutions that respond to the global demand for efficient business processes, specialized technical expertise, and innovative technology-driven solutions.
Foreign Investment and Free Trade Zones
The PROCOMER study also highlights that a significant portion of recent foreign direct investment (FDI) has been channeled into services-related activities. The Free Trade Zone (FTZ) Regime continues to be a crucial platform for attracting and expanding global companies. In 2024, 420 service companies operated under the FTZ regime, demonstrating sustained growth in recent years. These zones offer enticing incentives for international companies looking to establish or expand their operations in Costa Rica.
Recent Performance Data
The latest performance data for the first half of 2025 reinforces this positive trend. During this period, service exports grew by 5.4% to reach $8.692 billion USD. Excluding travel-related exports, the growth was 2.6%, reaching $5.605 billion USD. This growth was primarily driven by business services (+$143 million USD) and digital solutions in computing and telecommunications (+$76 million USD), along with transformation services (+$29 million USD) and financial services (+$23 million USD). The sector’s balanced structure, with business services at 40% and computing and telecommunications at 15%, further demonstrates the sophistication of Costa Rica’s service portfolio.
Job Creation and Gender Equity
Notably, six out of every ten jobs within the Free Trade Zone Regime are in the services sector, totaling 119,982 direct positions in 2024. Impressively, women held 43% of these positions, highlighting the sector’s significant contribution to specialized formal employment and its commitment to gender equity.
Costa Rica’s Competitive Advantages
Costa Rica shines on the international stage, holding numerous accolades and rankings that support its position as a leader in services. For example:
- According to the World Bank’s Doing Business report, Costa Rica consistently ranks favorably in ease of doing business compared to many other Latin American countries.
- The Global Innovation Index often recognizes Costa Rica for its innovation ecosystem and its commitment to research and development.
- The World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report frequently acknowledges Costa Rica’s strengths in areas such as education and technological readiness.
These indicators underscore the strength of Costa Rica’s service ecosystem, which blends diversification, adaptability, and a clear focus on global trends like digitalization, automation, and advanced corporate services. With over 350 multinational companies dedicated to services operating within its borders, Costa Rica is deeply integrated into global value chains and has solidified its reputation as a trusted environment for businesses seeking to scale high-value operations.
Ready to discover the opportunities that Costa Rica offers? Explore our website to learn more about investing, living, and experiencing the “pura vida” lifestyle in this dynamic and innovative nation.
