ancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
consulate(s) general: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Chicago, Durham,
Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia,
San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and
Tampa
consulate(s): Austin

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas J. DODD
embassy: Pavas Road, San Jose
mailing address: APO AA 34020

Flag description: five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red
(double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white
disk on the hoist side of the red band

Economy

Economy--overview: Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends
on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has been
substantially reduced over the past 15 years and a strong social
safety net has been put into place. Economic growth has rebounded
from -0.9% in 1996 to 3% in 1997 and an estimated 5.5% in 1998.
Inflation rose to 22.5% in 1995, dropped to 11.1% in 1997, and
reached an estimated 12% in 1998. Unemployment appears moderate at
5.6%, but substantial underemployment continues. Furthermore, large
government deficits--fueled by interest payments on the massive
internal debt--have undermined efforts to maintain the quality of
social services. Curbing inflation, reducing the deficit, and
improving public sector efficiency remain key challenges to the
government. President RODRIGUEZ has called for an increased economic
role for the private sector, but political resistance to
privatization has stalled much of his economic program.

GDP: purchasing power parity--$24 billion (1998 est.)

GDP--real growth rate: 5.5% (1998 est.)

GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$6,700 (1998 est.)

GDP--composition by sector:
agriculture: 15%
industry: 24%
services: 61% (1997)

Population below poverty line: NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.3%
highest 10%: 34.7% (1996)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12% (1998 est.)

Labor force: 868,300

Labor force--by occupation: industry and commerce 23.3%,
government and services 55.1%, agriculture 21.6% (1996 est.)

Unemployment rate: 5.6% (1998 est.); much underemployment

Budget:
revenues: $1.1 billion
expenditures: $1.34 billion, including capital expenditures of $110
million (1991 est.)

Industries: food processing, textiles and clothing, construct