Formal Borrowing Statistics in Costa Rica (2026)
In 2024, 14.2% of adults in Costa Rica borrowed from a formal financial institution, according to World Bank Global Findex data. Down from 17.5% in 2021 to 14.2% in 2024 (−3.2 percentage points). Costa Rica ranks #13 of 20 economies in Latin America & Caribbean on this measure, and #77 of 142 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 14.2% (2024)
- Formal Borrowing in Costa Rica as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank Global Findex data.
- Change since 2021
- −3.2 pp (2024)
- Down from 17.5% in 2021 to 14.2% in 2024 (−3.2 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (2014)
- 20.4% (2014)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Down from 20.4% in 2014 to 14.2% in 2024.
- Peak value (2017)
- 21.2% (2017)
- Highest value in the available series; the 2024 value is 14.2%.
- Rank in Latin America & Caribbean
- #13 of 20 (2024)
- Costa Rica ranks 13 of 20 countries in Latin America & Caribbean with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #77 of 142 (2024)
- Costa Rica ranks 77 of 142 countries with data globally.
- Latin America & Caribbean average
- 18.9% (2024)
- Costa Rica (14.2%) is below the average of 18.9% across the 20 countries in Latin America & Caribbean with data.
- Among women (2024)
- 13.5% (2024)
- Value for women in Costa Rica, same 2024 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Among men (2024)
- 15% (2024)
- Value for men in Costa Rica, same 2024 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Gender gap (women minus men)
- −1.4 pp (2024)
- In 2024, the figure was 13.5% for women and 15% for men — 1.4 percentage points lower among women.
- Among the poorest 40% (2024)
- 8.4% (2024)
- Value for adults in the poorest 40% of households in Costa Rica in 2024.
- Poorest-40% gap vs national
- −5.9 pp (2024)
- The poorest 40% (8.4%) are 5.9 percentage points below the national figure (14.2%).
- Internet use in Costa Rica (2024)
- 87.2% (2024)
- 87.2% of the population in Costa Rica used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 5.1 million (2024)
- Costa Rica had a population of 5.1 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 2014–2024
| Year | % of adults (age 15+) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 14.2% | −3.2 pp |
| 2021 | 17.5% | −3.8 pp |
| 2017 | 21.2% | +0.8 pp |
| 2014 | 20.4% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of adults in Costa Rica borrowed from a formal financial institution?
14.2% of adults in Costa Rica borrowed from a formal financial institution in 2024, according to World Bank Global Findex data.
How does Costa Rica compare with other countries in Latin America & Caribbean?
Costa Rica ranks 13 of 20 countries in Latin America & Caribbean with data, with 14.2% versus a regional average of 18.9% (latest values per country).
Where does Costa Rica rank globally on formal borrowing?
Costa Rica ranks 77 of 142 countries with data globally, based on the latest World Bank Global Findex value for each country.
Is there a gender gap in formal borrowing in Costa Rica?
Yes — in 2024 the figure was 13.5% for women and 15% for men, a gap of 1.4 percentage points in favor of men.
When did formal borrowing in Costa Rica peak?
The highest value in the available series was 21.2% in 2017; the latest (2024) value is 14.2%.
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank Global Findex, indicator
fin22a, retrieved .
Figures are shown exactly as published in the source dataset; only the change column of the trend table is computed from adjacent published values.Read more on the methodology page. All figures are estimates and projections; this is not financial advice.
Last updated .