Costa Rica

1950

2025

2100

1950

2025

2100

Net immigration of 1,000 people per year—more people arriving than leaving.

Since 1950, Costa Rica has gained a cumulative 275,114 people through migration.

By 2100, projections show continued net immigration.

Net migrants

+1,000

Net migration rate

+0.2 per 1,000 people

Key terms

Net migration: — Immigrants minus emigrants. Positive = more people arriving, negative = more leaving.
Net migration rate: — Net migration per 1,000 population per year.
Immigration: — People entering the country from abroad.
Emigration: — People leaving the country to live abroad.

Migration flows

Net migration from 1950 to 2100 (projections after 2024)

Net migrants

+354,123

Cumulative over selected range

Peak immigration

17,393

Top year: 1996

Peak emigration

390

Lowest year: 1950

Recent avg (10 yrs)

+842

Per year

Costa Rica receives approximately 1,000 net migrants per year (0.2 per 1,000 population). Peak immigration was 17,393 in 1996.

Migration flows in Costa Rica are relatively modest.

Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024. Historical estimates (1950–2024) and medium-variant projections (2025–2100).