Overview of Human Rights in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a constitutional democracy. The government works to respect the civil and human rights of its citizens. For the most part, its positive human rights record has remained solid over the years. 

Among the few criticisms has been the fact that the judicial process is particularly delayed in pre-trial detention as well as civil and labor cases. Libel laws are considered outdated by international community. Overcrowding at prisons and lack of medical services for prisoners are also of concern. The government is currently working to increase prison capacities and lower overcrowding rates.

Child labor and child prostitution are pressing challenges, which the government is also trying to eradicate.

Human Development Index (HDI) Rank:

48th out of 177

Note: Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite index that measures the level of well-being of nations in the world. It uses factors such as poverty, literacy, life-expectancy, education, gross domestic product, and purchasing power parity to assess the average achievements in each nation. It has been used in the United Nation’s Human Development Report since 1993.