The Changing Death Rate in Costa Rica from 1990 to 2022

Costa Rica's death rate has generally remained low compared to regional averages, beginning at 3.8 in 1990. The rate gradually rose throughout the early 2000s, reaching 4.6 in 2010. This period saw growing challenges related to an aging population and increased incidences of chronic diseases. In 2020, the death rate spiked to 5.6, largely attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected vulnerable populations and strained the country's healthcare system. Although the death rate slightly declined in the following years, it remained elevated in 2021 at 7.2, underscoring the long-lasting effects of the pandemic. By 2022, the death rate slightly reduced to 7.1, indicating ongoing public health challenges, particularly related to the elderly population.