A comprehensive review conducted by the Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies on Children and Adolescents (INEINA) at the National University of Costa Rica (UNA), based on more than 100 academic and policy documents, confirms that social programs related to housing, nutrition, and cash transfers generate tangible and lasting benefits for the productivity, health, and well-being of the population.
These investments not only address immediate needs but also shape long-term human development. Housing, for example, which goes far beyond simply providing a roof, has caused major issues. Factors such as adequate ventilation, construction materials, and levels of overcrowding have a direct impact on children’s respiratory health, emotional well-being, and capacity to study effectively.
When housing expenses exceed 35% of a household’s income, families are often forced to cut back on essential investments in nutrition, education, and healthcare, undermining children’s development. Despite this evidence, Costa Rica is currently showing troubling warning signs. Key social programs, including the Avancemos scholarships, designed to promote school retention and facilitate access to health services, have experienced a real budget reduction of approximately 15% between 2020 and 2025.
This cut translates into the loss of benefits for an estimated 57,000 students, increasing the risk of school dropout and long-term exclusion. Another alarming indicator is that around 75,000 minors live in households whose income is insufficient to cover even the basic food basket, exposing them to food insecurity and its lifelong consequences.
Another alarming indicator is that around 75,000 minors live in households whose income is insufficient to cover even the basic food basket, exposing them to food insecurity and its lifelong consequences. According to UNA, the fiscal adjustments implemented over the last two administrations have significantly weakened social investment, a decision the institute characterizes as a serious “development mistake.”
Childhood disadvantages tend to persist and be passed down through generations, limiting future economic growth. This administration has been widely criticized for budget cuts, which have hindered development in critical areas, placing the country’s future at risk. Public education, health and security have experienced major setbacks.
