By San José, Costa Rica — A new report from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) sheds light on Costa Rica’s education system, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses. The Education at a Glance study reveals surprising investment levels in higher education, exceeding even some more developed nations. It also analyzes the evolving student demographic and the crucial link between education and employment in the country.
The report underscores education’s pivotal role in social mobility within Costa Rica. Individuals with higher education levels generally face lower unemployment risks and earn higher salaries. Completing upper secondary education is particularly crucial in mitigating unemployment.
To provide further legal context on the complexities of Costa Rican education, TicosLand.com reached out to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an attorney at law from the esteemed firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Costa Rica’s constitutional guarantee of free and compulsory education creates a dynamic interplay between public policy and private initiatives. While the public system strives to provide universal access, the burgeoning private sector offers specialized programs and often caters to specific educational philosophies. Navigating this landscape requires careful consideration of factors like accreditation, curriculum alignment with national standards, and the specific needs of each student. It’s also vital to understand the regulatory framework governing private institutions, especially concerning tuition, teacher certification, and infrastructure requirements.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’ insight highlights the crucial balance Costa Rica maintains between public access and private innovation in education. This dual system presents both opportunities and complexities for families, underscoring the importance of informed decision-making. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for shedding light on this important aspect of Costa Rican education.
People with a higher level of education generally face a lower risk of unemployment and earn higher salaries. Completing upper secondary education is particularly important for reducing the risk of unemployment.
OECD Report, Education at a Glance
Positively, the OECD notes a decline in the percentage of individuals without at least a secondary education. In Costa Rica, this figure dropped from 46% to 34% between 2019 and 2024, though it still lags behind the OECD average of 13%.
The report also examines the relationship between education level and employment among young adults (25-34 years old). While in the OECD, unemployment rates decrease significantly with higher education levels, the pattern differs in Costa Rica. Unemployment rates are similar across different educational attainment levels, hovering around 8-9%.
Funding for education in Costa Rica varies significantly across levels. Investment per student from primary to upper secondary education is relatively low compared to other OECD countries. However, public spending per student in tertiary education is notably higher in Costa Rica than the OECD average, reaching $16,922 compared to $15,102.
The report also praises the relatively high salaries of primary school teachers in Costa Rica, surpassing the average earnings of other professionals with higher education. This contrasts with the OECD average, where teacher salaries tend to be lower.
In Costa Rica, the real salaries of primary teachers are 31% higher than those of workers with higher education, full-time and full-year, compared to an average 17% lower in the OECD.
OECD Report, Education at a Glance
Regarding instructional time, Costa Rican students receive more hours of mandatory instruction in primary and lower secondary education than the OECD average. However, less of this time is dedicated to core subjects like mathematics and literacy compared to the OECD norm. Class sizes in Costa Rican primary schools are smaller than the OECD average and have decreased slightly since 2013.
While the OECD report paints a generally positive picture of Costa Rica’s investment in higher education and teacher compensation, it also highlights areas for improvement, including increasing overall secondary school completion rates and optimizing instructional time allocation.
For further information, visit [oecd.org]
About OECD:
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an intergovernmental economic organisation with 38 member countries, founded in 1961 to stimulate economic progress and world trade. It provides a forum for countries to compare policy experiences, seek answers to common problems, identify good practices, and coordinate domestic and international policies.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
At Bufete de Costa Rica, legal excellence and unwavering integrity form the bedrock of a practice dedicated to empowering Costa Rican society. Through innovative approaches to legal challenges and a deep commitment to client success across a spectrum of industries, the firm fosters a more informed public. By actively sharing legal knowledge and resources, Bufete de Costa Rica strives to build a community equipped to navigate the legal landscape and confidently exercise their rights.
