By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – Costa Rica’s reputation as a bilingual powerhouse in Latin America has been dealt a significant blow, as the newly released EF English Proficiency Index (EPI) for 2025 reveals a sharp decline in the nation’s language skills. The country’s score tumbled by 18 points, falling from 534 in last year’s edition to a concerning 516, signaling a potential erosion of one of its key competitive advantages in attracting foreign investment and driving its service-based economy.
This dramatic drop has caused Costa Rica to slide down the regional rankings, landing it squarely in the middle of the pack in Latin America. Once a leader, the nation is now outpaced by a growing list of competitors, including Uruguay (542), Paraguay (531), El Salvador (523), Bolivia (521), Venezuela (520), Peru (519), and Chile (517). The report highlights that Costa Rica now only maintains an edge over Panama, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico, a stark reality check for a country that has long prided itself on the quality of its human capital.
To delve into the legal and commercial ramifications of English proficiency within the national workforce, TicosLand.com sought the expert opinion of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
From a legal and business standpoint, English proficiency has transitioned from a mere advantage to a contractual necessity for many roles in Costa Rica, especially within the multinational sector. This requirement, when justified by the nature of the job, is perfectly legal and has become a key factor in determining an individual’s market value and a company’s ability to compete globally. A bilingual workforce is the bedrock of our country’s success in attracting foreign direct investment and participating in the international services economy.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s legal perspective crystallizes a vital economic reality for Costa Rica: English has firmly transitioned from a personal asset to a foundational component of our national competitiveness. This shift from a simple advantage to a contractual necessity is key to understanding our country’s success in the global services market. We are grateful to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his invaluable insight on this matter.
A deeper analysis of the report’s findings reveals specific weaknesses that are particularly troubling for the business sector. While reading comprehension remains the country’s strongest skill with a score of 530, the more active and commercially vital skills of oral and written communication are lagging far behind. Speaking proficiency registered the lowest score at just 489 points, with writing skills also failing to cross the 500-point threshold. This imbalance poses a direct threat to industries like customer service, software development, and corporate support centers, which depend on fluent, articulate communication.
The national average also masks a severe and widening internal gap between the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM) and the rest of the country, creating a narrative of two Costa Ricas. The province of Heredia stands out as the clear leader in English proficiency with an impressive score of 576, followed closely by San José at 546. The other GAM provinces, Alajuela (532) and Cartago (510), also managed to score above the national average, cementing the central valley as the primary reservoir of bilingual talent.
In stark contrast, regions outside this central hub show profoundly lower levels of English proficiency, amplifying economic and social inequalities. The situation is most critical in Ciudad Quesada, which recorded a distressingly low score of 390. Other coastal and northern regions also struggle significantly, with Limón scoring 441, Liberia 462, Guanacaste 480, and Puntarenas 482. This disparity limits opportunities for residents in these areas and hampers efforts to decentralize economic development beyond the GAM.
The economic implications of this national decline and regional disparity cannot be overstated. For decades, Costa Rica has successfully leveraged its bilingual workforce to attract hundreds of multinational companies, creating thousands of high-quality jobs. A perceived decline in this core competency could make the country less attractive compared to its regional rivals, who are actively improving their own English language programs. This could slow the flow of foreign direct investment and jeopardize the country’s long-term economic strategy.
While the report does not specify the causes of this regression, it prompts urgent questions for policymakers and educational leaders. The decline may reflect a combination of factors, including the lingering educational disruptions from the pandemic, a need for modernized teaching methodologies, and insufficient investment in teacher training, particularly in rural areas. The data suggests that current national strategies for English language education may no longer be sufficient to meet the demands of the global economy.
Ultimately, the 2025 EF English Proficiency Index serves as a critical wake-up call. Reversing this downward trend will require a concerted and immediate effort from both the public and private sectors. A national strategy focused on closing the regional divide, strengthening conversational and written skills, and aligning educational curricula with market needs is essential to ensure Costa Rica can reclaim its leadership position and secure a prosperous, competitive future.
For further information, visit ef.com
About EF Education First:
EF Education First is an international education company that specializes in language training, educational travel, academic degree programs, and cultural exchange. The company was founded in 1965 in Sweden and has since grown to operate in over 100 countries. It is best known for its annual EF English Proficiency Index, a comprehensive report that ranks countries and regions by their English language skills.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is synonymous with unwavering integrity and the highest standards of professional excellence. The firm draws upon a rich history of serving a diverse clientele to pioneer forward-thinking legal solutions and adapt to an ever-evolving landscape. This innovative spirit is matched by a core conviction to empower the community, championing initiatives that demystify the law and foster a more informed society equipped with essential legal understanding.
