Economy
Costa Rica is Central America’s second largest economy, just behind Guatemala. The World Bank (2013) ranked Costa Rica’s nearly US$50 billion gross domestic product (GDP) eighty-first out of 192 countries studied. The Legatum Institute ranked Costa Rica forty-third out of 142 countries it studied on its Economy Sub-Index (2014).
Costa Rica was known principally as a producer of bananas and coffee, but the contribution of manufacturing and industry to the country’s GDP overtook agriculture in the 1990s, led by foreign investment in Costa Rica’s free trade zone. Well over half of that investment has come from the United States.
High-tech exports now account for a very high 42 percent of all manufactured exports. Costa Rica exports more than US$11 billion worth of goods and services and imports over US$18 billion. The United States is Costa Rica’s number one trading partner, representing about 37 percent of all exports and 40 percent of imports. China is the country’s second largest trading partner. The country is also rich in renewable energy. It gets about 99 percent of all its electrical energy from clean sources and is aiming to become carbon neutral by 2021.
GDP growth in 2015 is forecast to grow a healthy 3.8 percent. Unemployment in 2015 is projected to remain high, around 9.5 percent, and inflation is forecast to rise at an annual rate of over 6 percent.
Finding a Job
With a high unemployment rate and a preference for hiring primarily from its well-educated population, job-hunting in Costa Rica may be a challenge.
Costa Rica is a Spanish-speaking country, which means finding the best jobs requires fluency in the language. The most widely available jobs for expats are teaching English and working in the tourism industry.
Jobs with international companies located in Costa Rica - Intel, HP, Boston Scientific, etc. - are very competitive. They most often hire from the country’s highly educated workforce or relocate their own employees from foreign offices.
Job search strategies you can use in Costa Rica are similar to the U.S. Industry associations are an excellent way to find out about international opportunities in your field. Check job listings in local newspapers and online. Be sure to send unsolicited applications to targeted employers and contact temporary work or staffing agencies online or onsite. Most importantly, check out local online forums and bulletin boards in the area you have chosen. Locals can be a great source for opportunities.
To get you started, here is a list of websites that may help you in your job search:
Craigslist Costa Rica
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