Extreme Poverty in Costa Rica: 1800 to Today (and Tomorrow)

The data on extreme poverty in Costa Rica represents a profound aspect of human experience, measuring the daily struggle to meet basic needs. In the 2020s, extreme poverty stands at 4.5 % — a stark contrast to the 55 % of 1900. This shift signifies a changing reality of food, shelter, and security for individuals and households.

The historical trajectory of Costa Rica reveals a steady decline in extreme poverty, from 65 % in the 1800s to 4.5 % in the 2020s. The middle of the twentieth century brought accelerated change, with rates moving from 30 in the 1950s to 15 in the 1980s. As the decades progress, the projected rates continue to decrease, reaching 0.45 % by the 2100s projection.

As you consider the lives lived in Costa Rica, the contrast between past and future is striking, with the 2030s projection of 3.38 and the 2060s projection of 1.42 representing a significantly improved threshold for human potential. To understand your place within this broader narrative, compute your own ranking among everyone ever born on MYRIAD.