Curriculum The Economy of Costa Rica
The Economy of Costa Rica
Costa Rica's economy: an overview, abolishing the army, health and education, ecotourism and payments for ecosystem services, Intel and high-tech exports, farming, renewable electricity, fiscal strain, inequality, OECD membership and challenges, and a recap.
- Costa Rica at a Glance Costa Rica is a small Central American democracy known for ecotourism, high-tech exports, universal health care and clean electricity. 📄 Read-aloud
- Abolishing the Army in 1948 After a brief civil war, Costa Rica abolished its army in 1948 and redirected money to education and health. 📄 Read-aloud
- Health, Education and the Social Model Costa Rica offers universal health care through the CCSS and near-universal education, giving it life expectancy similar to rich countries. 📄 Read-aloud
- Ecotourism and Payments for Ecosystem Services Costa Rica restored its forests and built a tourism industry around nature, using payments to landowners who protect trees. 📄 Read-aloud
- Intel and High-Tech Manufacturing Intel's plant in 1997 started a shift into electronics and medical devices, and Costa Rica is now a major exporter of medical equipment. 📄 Read-aloud
- Bananas, Pineapples and Coffee Farming still earns dollars, with pineapples and bananas exported by large firms, and coffee grown by smallholders. 📄 Read-aloud
- The Economy of Costa Rica: Checkpoint 1 Quick checkpoint - five questions on the economy of costa rica. 5 questions
- Renewable Electricity and Carbon Neutrality Almost all of Costa Rica's electricity comes from renewables, mostly hydropower, and it aims to decarbonise its transport and industry. 📄 Read-aloud
- Fiscal Strain and Debt High public spending and low taxes led to large deficits, and a 2018 tax reform and later fiscal rules helped stabilise debt. 📄 Read-aloud
- Inequality and Two-Speed Economy Free-zone firms are highly productive, but many workers in agriculture and small business are not, creating a dual economy and rising inequality. 📄 Read-aloud
- OECD Membership and Future Challenges Costa Rica joined the OECD in 2021, signalling its policy standards, and now faces challenges of crime, jobs and productivity. 📄 Read-aloud
- Costa Rica's Economy: Recap A recap of Costa Rica's path and prospects. 📄 Read-aloud