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

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

Latest (2023)
50.0%
Change on year
up 25.0%
World rank
21st
of 65 countries
All-time high
84.6%
in 2020
All-time low
19.0%
in 2005
Years of data
16
2005–2023

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

204060802005201420232005: 192007: 45.22008: 44.72009: 40.22011: 45.52012: 53.92013: 52.32014: 532015: 51.72016: 47.62017: 502018: 67.92020: 84.62021: 66.72022: 402023: 50

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Analysis

The most recent figure for female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) in Costa Rica is 50.0%, measured in 2023.

That represents a change of up 25.0% on the previous year and down 4.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) in Costa Rica peaked at 84.6% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 19.0%, in 2005.

That places Costa Rica 21st out of 65 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 16 years of available data.

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

Annual values for Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) - Private non-profit in Costa Rica, 2005 to 2023.
Year Value Change
2005 19.0%
2007 45.2% +137.1%
2008 44.7% -1.0%
2009 40.2% -10.0%
2011 45.5% +13.1%
2012 53.9% +18.4%
2013 52.3% -3.0%
2014 53.0% +1.3%
2015 51.7% -2.5%
2016 47.6% -7.9%
2017 50.0% +5.0%
2018 67.9% +35.7%
2020 84.6% +24.7%
2021 66.7% -21.2%
2022 40.0% -40.0%
2023 50.0% +25.0%

Costa Rica compared with similar countries

  • Costa Rica's 50.0% is above the median for high income countries, which is 47.9%, 1.0× the median. (31 countries reporting)
  • Costa Rica's 50.0% is above the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 44.5%, 1.1× the median. (13 countries reporting)

Biggest year-on-year movements

Years where Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) in Costa Rica changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.

YearChange FromTo
2007 +137.1% 19.0% 45.2%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 37.3% 19.0% 45.2% 4
2010s 52.8% 45.5% 67.9% 8
2020s 60.3% 40.0% 84.6% 4

Countries ranked near Costa Rica

  1. 18 Belgium 50.9% compare
  2. 19 Spain 50.4% compare
  3. 20 Austria 50.4% compare
  4. 21 Bulgaria 50.0% compare
  5. 21 Serbia 50.0% compare
  6. 24 Greece 49.1% compare

See the full ranking of 65 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 (hc) in Costa Rica?
Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) 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 (hc) 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 (hc) recorded in Costa Rica?
The lowest recorded value was 19.0% in 2005.
How does Costa Rica rank for female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc)?
Costa Rica ranks 21st out of 65 countries with data for 2023.
Is female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) rising or falling in Costa Rica?
Over the last ten years it is down 4.4%. 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 (HC) - Private non-profit. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) 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-hc-private-non-profit/costa-rica/

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About this data

Indicator
Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) - Private non-profit
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
65 places, 955 data points, 1996–2024
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release