By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – Costa Rica’s vital tourism industry is facing a severe contraction, having lost more than 22,000 jobs in a single year amid a troubling decline in international visitor arrivals. A new, comprehensive report from the Economic and Social Observatory of the National University (UNA) paints a stark picture of a sector struggling to regain its footing, with significant consequences for the national economy and thousands of families.
The study, which compares data from the third quarter of 2024 to the same period in 2025, reveals a net loss of 22,170 positions directly linked to tourism activities. This sharp drop in employment corresponds with a 1.8% decrease in foreign tourist arrivals, a key metric for the industry’s health. The total number of people employed in the sector plummeted from 189,093 in September 2024 to just 166,923 a year later.
Data from the first ten months of the year confirms this downward trend. Between January and October 2025, Costa Rica welcomed 2,349,461 international tourists. While a substantial number, it falls short of the 2,392,531 visitors recorded during the same timeframe in 2024. This reversal of growth is particularly concerning as the industry is still chasing its pre-pandemic performance levels. For comparison, by October 2019, the country had already received 2,566,443 tourists.
The job losses are not evenly distributed, with certain sub-sectors bearing the brunt of the downturn. The food and beverage industry has been hit the hardest, shedding a staggering 14,217 jobs. Travel agencies and reservation services followed, with a loss of 5,579 positions. Other critical areas also felt the impact, including cultural activities (-3,045 jobs), vehicle rentals (-2,694 jobs), and short-term accommodation providers (-2,408 jobs).
The report highlights a significant gender disparity in the employment crisis. Women, who form a crucial part of the tourism workforce, have been disproportionately affected. Of the total jobs lost, 12,698 were held by women, compared to 9,472 positions held by men. This underscores the vulnerability of female employment within the sector and raises concerns about widening economic inequality.
The implications of this slump extend far beyond the immediate job losses. Tourism is a primary engine of Costa Rica’s economy, generating foreign exchange, supporting countless small and medium-sized enterprises, and sustaining local communities across the country. The ripple effects of a struggling tourism sector can be felt in agriculture, transportation, retail, and construction, making this a matter of national economic security.
The authors of the National University study emphasize the urgent need for a coordinated response. They argue that the data calls for immediate and decisive actions from both public and private sectors to reactivate international visitor demand. Without a strategic intervention to reverse the current trajectory, the risk of further economic damage and job losses remains critically high.
Potential strategies could include launching aggressive new international marketing campaigns, diversifying tourism offerings beyond traditional eco-lodges and beaches, and exploring incentives to attract new airlines or routes. Protecting this cornerstone of the national economy is not just a goal, but an imperative for stabilizing the country’s economic future and safeguarding the livelihoods of nearly 170,000 workers and their families.
For further information, visit una.ac.cr
About The Economic and Social Observatory of the National University:
The Economic and Social Observatory of the National University (UNA) in Costa Rica is a specialized research institution dedicated to the analysis of key economic and social trends affecting the nation. It provides data-driven insights, reports, and analyses to policymakers, academic institutions, and the general public to foster informed decision-making and contribute to the country’s sustainable development.
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