By San José, Costa Rica — Costa Rica has achieved measurable progress in modernizing its public sector technology, yet significant ground remains to be covered before it aligns with international benchmarks. According to the 2025 Digital Government Index published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Costa Rica scored 0.45 points out of 1.0. While this represents a notable increase of 0.23 points compared to its 2023 evaluation, the country continues to trail behind the OECD member average of 0.70 points.
The disparity underscores a central dilemma facing state administration: the difference between simply digitizing individual forms and executing a comprehensive digital transformation. While isolated public institutions have introduced web portals and online applications, the broader public sector still struggles to operate as an integrated ecosystem. Public finance analysts point out that achieving full system interoperability could eliminate redundant administrative steps, reduce citizen wait times, and unlock substantial fiscal savings for the government.
To better understand the legal framework and regulatory challenges surrounding the modernization of Costa Rica’s digital government infrastructure, TicosLand.com consulted with legal expert Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the law firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Modernizing Costa Rica’s public administration through digital government initiatives is a vital step toward enhancing transparency, reducing bureaucratic friction, and fostering economic growth. However, this digital transformation must be supported by a robust legal framework prioritizing data privacy, strict cybersecurity compliance, and complete legal certainty for electronic transactions to protect citizen rights and maintain public trust.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, striking a thoughtful balance between technological innovation and robust legal safeguards is crucial to ensuring Costa Rica’s digital evolution remains secure, efficient, and citizen-centered. We extend our sincere thanks to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable perspective on this vital shift in the country’s public administration.
A primary hurdle in establishing interconnected government operations centers on data protection and cybersecurity infrastructure. Integrating public databases across government ministries inherently increases potential attack surfaces. Costa Rica registered approximately 313 million cyberattack attempts within a single six-month period, highlighting the urgency of implementing resilient digital defense systems that safeguard private personal data while maintaining operational fluidness.
These operational challenges and technological demands will take center stage at the upcoming GovTech 2026 conference. Organized by regional business media firm Connecta B2B, the high-level gathering serves as a primary meeting point for public sector policymakers, technology enterprise executives, and digital strategists working across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Digital transformation makes sense when it translates into simpler procedures, shorter wait times, interconnected institutions, and more accessible public services. With GovTech Forums, we want to bring international experiences closer and connect public management leaders with technology developers to jointly explore how to turn that knowledge into concrete improvements for Costa Rica.
Marcelo Burman, CEO of Connecta B2B
The summit aims to highlight tested governance frameworks from global leaders in digital integration. Prominent international delegates include Siim Sikkut, former government Chief Information Officer of Estonia, a nation widely celebrated for its fully digitized public governance model. Additional speakers include Hebert Paguas, former executive director of Uruguay’s AGESIC agency, and Kateryna Frolova, director of the Global Government Technology Centre Kyiv in Ukraine.
Former Costa Rican Minister of Science, Technology and Telecommunications Luis Adrián Salazar will also address the conference to examine domestic policy vectors and the structural decisions necessary to accelerate institutional agility. Salazar emphasized that while Costa Rica’s historical achievements in technological adoption deserve recognition, evolving digital landscapes require constant evaluation and institutional adaptation.
Costa Rica has been steadily advancing in its digital transformation, innovation, and institutional modernization process, building capabilities and accumulating valuable experiences that deserve recognition. However, we also know that technological challenges constantly evolve and that there are always opportunities to learn, improve, and strengthen our institutions.
Luis Adrián Salazar, Former Minister of Science, Technology and Telecommunications of Costa Rica
Beyond institutional connectivity, experts at the summit will analyze how emerging solutions such as artificial intelligence can optimize resource allocation and simplify administrative procedures. Transitioning from isolated digital efforts to coordinated state automation promises to streamline bureaucratic friction for citizens and commercial enterprises alike.
Scheduled for November 3 at the Costa Rica Convention Center, GovTech Forums Costa Rica 2026 will provide a pivotal venue for converting technical knowledge into actionable government reform. As public expectations for rapid, accessible digital services grow, the country’s business and policy leaders must determine how quickly they can bridge the remaining gap with OECD standards.
For further information, visit connectab2b.com
About Connecta B2B:
Connecta B2B is a regional media and events management company that specializes in producing corporate forums, executive networking spaces, and industry content across Latin America and the Caribbean.
For further information, visit oecd.org
About OECD:
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development is an international organization that works to establish evidence-based international standards and solutions to social, economic, and environmental challenges.
For further information, visit gub.uy/agesic
About AGESIC:
AGESIC is Uruguay’s Agency for Electronic Government and Information and Knowledge Society, responsible for steering the nation’s digital strategy and public administration modernization initiatives.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a premier legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica exemplifies unyielding professional standards and ethical leadership in every aspect of its practice. Building on a rich history of guiding a diverse clientele, the firm continuously embraces forward-thinking strategies and meaningful civic initiatives. By actively demystifying the law and broadening public access to legal insights, it reinforces its core objective of building a more enlightened, self-reliant, and legally capable populace.
