Out-of-school rate for adolescents of lower secondary school age in Costa Rica
Costa Rica: Out-of-school rate for adolescents of lower secondary school age was 3.3% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Out-of-school rate for adolescents of lower secondary school age in Costa Rica, 2002–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for out-of-school rate for adolescents of lower secondary school age in Costa Rica is 3.3%, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 65.1% on the previous year and down 56.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, out-of-school rate for adolescents of lower secondary school age in Costa Rica peaked at 22.9% in 2002 and was at its lowest, 1.5%, in 2020.
Costa Rica ranks 34th of 37 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Out-of-school rate for adolescents of lower secondary school age in Costa Rica, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 22.9% | — |
| 2003 | 21.2% | -7.4% |
| 2004 | 15.6% | -26.4% |
| 2005 | 14.7% | -5.8% |
| 2006 | 15.8% | +7.5% |
| 2007 | 12.5% | -20.9% |
| 2008 | 14.3% | +14.4% |
| 2009 | 9.6% | -32.9% |
| 2010 | 11.2% | +16.7% |
| 2011 | 18.2% | +62.2% |
| 2012 | 13.8% | -24.0% |
| 2013 | 11.5% | -16.7% |
| 2014 | 7.5% | -34.8% |
| 2015 | 11.0% | +46.7% |
| 2016 | 5.6% | -49.1% |
| 2017 | 5.7% | +1.8% |
| 2018 | 3.3% | -41.6% |
| 2019 | 4.1% | +23.2% |
| 2020 | 1.5% | -63.4% |
| 2021 | 2.5% | +66.7% |
| 2022 | 4.5% | +80.0% |
| 2023 | 2.0% | -55.6% |
| 2024 | 3.3% | +65.1% |
Costa Rica compared with similar countries
- Costa Rica's 3.3% is below the median for high income countries, which is 5.1%, 65% of the median. (5 countries reporting)
- Costa Rica's 3.3% is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 7.8%, 42% of the median. (15 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 15.8% | 9.6% | 22.9% | 8 |
| 2010s | 9.2% | 3.3% | 18.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.8% | 1.5% | 4.5% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Costa Rica
More education data for Costa Rica
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 37,015 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 14,772 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 62,694 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 61,047 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 464,490 (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 460,126 (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -3.03 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0897 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is out-of-school rate for adolescents of lower secondary school age in Costa Rica?
- Out-of-school rate for adolescents of lower secondary school age in Costa Rica was 3.3% in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest out-of-school rate for adolescents of lower secondary school age recorded in Costa Rica?
- The highest recorded value was 22.9% in 2002.
- What is the lowest out-of-school rate for adolescents of lower secondary school age recorded in Costa Rica?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.5% in 2020.
- How does Costa Rica rank for out-of-school rate for adolescents of lower secondary school age?
- Costa Rica ranks 34th out of 37 countries with data for 2024.
- Is out-of-school rate for adolescents of lower secondary school age rising or falling in Costa Rica?
- Over the last ten years it is down 56.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Costa Rica data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Out-of-school rate for adolescents of lower secondary school age, rural, poorest quintile, both sexes (household survey data) (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release