Manufacturing Sector Contribution to GDP in Costa Rica (1990-2022)

Costa Rica's manufacturing sector began at 19.4% in 1990, growing slightly in the early 1990s before starting a gradual decline due to trade liberalization and an emphasis on ecotourism and services. By 2008, manufacturing’s share decreased to 15.1%, reaching a low of 11.6% by 2016. The pandemic spurred a modest resurgence, with the sector's share rising to 14.1% in 2022 as Costa Rica focused on medical equipment manufacturing and other high-value exports. This trend reflects a strategic shift toward specialized manufacturing within an economy increasingly driven by services and technology.