Share of workers in informal employment: men vs. women in Costa Rica
Costa Rica: Share of workers in informal employment: men vs. women was 37.4% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Share of workers in informal employment: men vs. women in Costa Rica, 2010–2025
Source: International Labour Organization – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2025, share of workers in informal employment: men vs. women in Costa Rica stood at 37.4%.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.4% on the previous year and down 3.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of workers in informal employment: men vs. women in Costa Rica peaked at 39.9% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 34.8%, in 2011.
That places Costa Rica 40th out of 82 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
Share of workers in informal employment: men vs. women in Costa Rica, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 36.3% | — |
| 2011 | 34.8% | -4.2% |
| 2012 | 35.8% | +3.0% |
| 2013 | 37.3% | +4.1% |
| 2014 | 37.9% | +1.7% |
| 2015 | 38.8% | +2.3% |
| 2016 | 38.0% | -1.9% |
| 2017 | 39.0% | +2.4% |
| 2018 | 37.8% | -3.0% |
| 2019 | 39.0% | +3.1% |
| 2020 | 38.8% | -0.4% |
| 2021 | 39.9% | +2.8% |
| 2022 | 38.3% | -4.1% |
| 2023 | 36.7% | -4.2% |
| 2024 | 36.9% | +0.5% |
| 2025 | 37.4% | +1.4% |
Costa Rica compared with similar countries
- Costa Rica's 37.4% is above the median for high income countries, which is 2.1%, 17.6× the median. (35 countries reporting)
- Costa Rica's 37.4% is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 58.6%, 64% of the median. (19 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 37.5% | 34.8% | 39.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | 38.0% | 36.7% | 39.9% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Costa Rica
- 37 Republic of Moldova 52.1% compare
- 38 Argentina 51.3% compare
- 39 Palestine, State of 51.0% compare
- 41 Brazil 37.2% compare
- 42 Saint Lucia 35.4% compare
- 43 South Africa 35.0% compare
More work & labour data for Costa Rica
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.9965 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.9952 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.9977 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.61 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.29 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 5,205 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 569.35 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 1,908 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 1,868 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 3,776 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of workers in informal employment: men vs. women in Costa Rica?
- Share of workers in informal employment: men vs. women in Costa Rica was 37.4% in 2025, according to International Labour Organization – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of workers in informal employment: men vs. women recorded in Costa Rica?
- The highest recorded value was 39.9% in 2021.
- What is the lowest share of workers in informal employment: men vs. women recorded in Costa Rica?
- The lowest recorded value was 34.8% in 2011.
- How does Costa Rica rank for share of workers in informal employment: men vs. women?
- Costa Rica ranks 40th out of 82 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of workers in informal employment: men vs. women rising or falling in Costa Rica?
- Over the last ten years it is down 3.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Costa Rica data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of workers in informal employment: men vs. women. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of employed males working in jobs that lack basic social or legal protection and employment benefits. Does not include illegal and illicit activities. Figures refer to national estimates and may not be fully comparable across countries.