Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) in Costa Rica

Costa Rica: Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) was 50.0% in 2023. ▲ Rising

Latest (2023)
50.0%
Change on year
up 100.0%
World rank
21st
of 53 countries
All-time high
84.6%
in 2020
All-time low
22.1%
in 2005
Years of data
14
2005–2023

Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) in Costa Rica, 2005–2023

204060802005201420232005: 22.12008: 45.92011: 46.22012: 57.52013: 44.42014: 52.12015: 56.52016: 43.52017: 502018: 67.92020: 84.62021: 57.12022: 252023: 50

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Analysis

In 2023, female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) in Costa Rica stood at 50.0%.

The figure is up 100.0% on the previous year and up 12.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) in Costa Rica peaked at 84.6% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 22.1%, in 2005.

That places Costa Rica 21st out of 53 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 14 years of available data.

Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) in Costa Rica, year by year

Annual values for Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) - Private non-profit in Costa Rica, 2005 to 2023.
Year Value Change
2005 22.1%
2008 45.9% +107.9%
2011 46.2% +0.7%
2012 57.5% +24.7%
2013 44.4% -22.8%
2014 52.1% +17.2%
2015 56.5% +8.5%
2016 43.5% -23.1%
2017 50.0% +15.0%
2018 67.9% +35.7%
2020 84.6% +24.7%
2021 57.1% -32.5%
2022 25.0% -56.3%
2023 50.0% +100.0%

Costa Rica compared with similar countries

  • Costa Rica's 50.0% is above the median for high income countries, which is 48.4%, 1.0× the median. (26 countries reporting)
  • Costa Rica's 50.0% is above the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 44.8%, 1.1× the median. (9 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 34.0% 22.1% 45.9% 2
2010s 52.3% 43.5% 67.9% 8
2020s 54.2% 25.0% 84.6% 4

Countries ranked near Costa Rica

  1. 18 Slovenia 50.8% compare
  2. 19 Sweden 50.8% compare
  3. 20 Belgium 50.3% compare
  4. 22 Spain 49.2% compare
  5. 23 Poland 48.5% compare
  6. 24 Croatia 48.3% compare

See the full ranking of 53 places →

More science & technology data for Costa Rica

All data for Costa Rica →

Frequently asked questions

What is female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) in Costa Rica?
Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) in Costa Rica was 50.0% in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) recorded in Costa Rica?
The highest recorded value was 84.6% in 2020.
What is the lowest female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) recorded in Costa Rica?
The lowest recorded value was 22.1% in 2005.
How does Costa Rica rank for female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte)?
Costa Rica ranks 21st out of 53 countries with data for 2023.
Is female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) rising or falling in Costa Rica?
Over the last ten years it is up 12.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Costa Rica data come from?
The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) - Private non-profit. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) in Costa Rica. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 17 September 2026, from https://science-tech.statizoid.com/stat/female-researchers-as-a-percentage-of-total-researchers-fte-private-non-profit/costa-rica/

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About this data

Indicator
Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) - Private non-profit
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
53 places, 728 data points, 1996–2024
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release