No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeBusinessBusiness confidence still low in Costa Rica

Business confidence still low in Costa Rica

Wariness about the country’s employment and economic situation caused a slight decline in confidence among business sector leaders during the first quarter of this year, according to a recent survey.

The Costa Rican Chamber of Commerce (CCCR) released results Wednesday of its Business Confidence Index, which measures perceptions quarterly on four variables: economy, employment, sales and the business situation.

The index this time recorded the minimum level considered “confident,” a decrease over the previous quarter.

Concerns about the country’s employment and economy knocked down the confidence score.

Businesses also expressed a cautious hiring outlook for the upcoming quarter, with 14 percent of employers surveyed saying they are considering reducing their staff in the next three months.

Chamber President Yolanda Fernández Ochoa described the low confidence level in employment as extremely worrisome, mostly because “that variable has failed to surpass the minimum confidence level for 19 consecutive quarters.”

The CCCR’s survey found that the number of companies planning to hire decreased from the previous quarter, from 21 to 19 percent. Most employers — 67 percent — said they plan to maintain their current staffing levels.

Despite the lukewarm confidence looking outward, those surveyed expressed strong confidence in their own firms’ sales and performance.

The Chamber took the opportunity to ask the government to refrain from promoting the approval of new taxes, saying it “would further affect the private sector’s confidence as well as hiring and investment expectations.”

The chamber surveyed CEOs, CFOs and other managers at 700 companies from March 16-31. The study has a margin of error of 3 percent and a confidence level of 95 percent.

Trending Now

UN Ocean Summit Ends with Progress but No Clear Funding

The UN Ocean Summit concluded in Nice with advances in protecting the high seas—but without any clear financial commitments. After bringing together around 60...

Costa Rica’s Taiwan Ties Stir “One China” Policy Tensions

Costa Rica is caught in a diplomatic tug-of-war with China after sending officials to Taiwan for training. The government confirmed that five members of...

Costa Rica’s Film Festival Kicks Off with a New Vision

San José is lighting up for the 13th Costa Rica International Film Festival (CRFIC), running June 19–29, 2025, with filmmaker Patricia Velásquez Guzmán taking...

Costa Rica’s 2025 Flamingo Fishing Rodeo Highlights Sport and Conservation

With great fishing and a renewed focus on family fun, the Presidential Flamingo Fishing Rodeo presented by Marina Flamingo is set to take center stage in the world...

Costa Rica’s Investment Appeal Fades Amid Social and Environmental Challenges

Costa Rica’s reputation as a prime destination for foreign investment is under threat, according to a new study from the University of Costa Rica...

Nicaraguan Critic Roberto Samcam Assassinated in Costa Rica

A retired Nicaraguan army officer and outspoken critic of the Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo government was shot dead Thursday in Costa Rica, where...
L. Arias
L. Arias
Reporter | The Tico Times |
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica