No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta RicaUnemployment in Costa Rica rose to 12.4% at the end of 2019

Unemployment in Costa Rica rose to 12.4% at the end of 2019

Unemployment in Costa Rica grew to 12.4% at the end of 2019 and is one of the highest in Latin America, the country’s official statistics agency said Thursday.

The figure for the last quarter of last year slightly exceeds the 12% unemployment registered in the last quarter of 2018, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC).

Unemployment especially affects women — it reached 16.7% of the female labor force, while among men it reached 9.6%, according to the INEC report.

The report said the figures represent 309,000 unemployed people in Costa Rica, a country with a population of 5 million.

The statistical agency said that 46.5% of the working-age population is in a condition of informal employment; that is, they perform jobs without being registered with the State and without contributing to social security.

Likewise, 11% are in a condition of underemployment, which means they work fewer hours than they would like.

Trending Now

Costa Rica’s Rare Birds at Risk as Human Activity Threatens Extinction

Costa Rica’s bare-necked umbrellabird, a striking black bird with a red throat pouch and crest, is in trouble. A new study in Nature Ecology...

Panama Regains Control of Bocas del Toro After Violent Protests

Panama’s government has regained control of Bocas del Toro province after months of violent anti-government protests sparked by pension reforms, officials announced. The unrest,...

Costa Rica’s President Chaves Accused of Illicit Campaign Financing

On Monday, Costa Rica’s Prosecutor’s Office formally accused President Rodrigo Chaves along with six high-ranking officials and pro-government legislators of allegedly engaging in illicit...

Costa Rican Health Officials Sound Alarm Over Teen Vaping Epidemic

Vaping has become increasingly popular, especially among teenagers and young adults. However, the health consequences associated with its use are raising alarm among Costa...

Nicaraguan Exiles Demand Protection After Costa Rica Assassination

More than 70 exiled Nicaraguans demanded international protection on Friday following the shooting death in Costa Rica of retired army officer Roberto Samcam, a...

Why Costa Rica Feels Like a Safe Haven for This Longtime Expat

If someone asked me to sum up why I live in Costa Rica in 5 words or less, my answer could well be: “It...
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