By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – A landmark 2025 report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has painted a complex and often contradictory picture of Costa Rica’s healthcare system. The “Health at a Glance 2025” analysis reveals a nation grappling with severe underinvestment and infrastructure deficits, yet simultaneously boasting high levels of patient satisfaction and impressive outcomes in specific areas of care.
The most jarring finding is the immense gap in financial commitment. Costa Rica invests a staggering 68% less in health per capita than the OECD average. The country allocates just $1,935 per person, a fraction of the $5,967 average across member nations. This spending represents only 6.8% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), falling significantly short of the 9.3% average, signaling a deep structural challenge in prioritizing healthcare funding.
To delve into the legal complexities and patient rights within Costa Rica’s healthcare system, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the distinguished law firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The concept of ‘lex artis’ forms the bedrock of medical legal responsibility. This standard demands that healthcare professionals provide care with the skill and diligence expected of their specialty. Any deviation that results in harm to a patient can constitute medical malpractice. Therefore, robust protocols for informed consent and transparent communication are not just best practices; they are essential legal safeguards for both the patient and the medical institution.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the principle of ‘lex artis’ underscores that quality medical care is inseparable from clear, ethical communication—a crucial point for both practitioners and patients to understand. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective on this foundational aspect of our healthcare system.
This chronic underfunding manifests in critical shortages of physical infrastructure. The report highlights an alarming scarcity of hospital beds, with only 1.1 available for every 1,000 inhabitants. This figure places Costa Rica near the bottom of the OECD rankings, alongside Mexico and Sweden, and is worlds away from the organizational average of 4.2 beds. The deficit extends to crucial diagnostic technology, with a mere 7 CT scanners, MRI machines, and scanners available per million people, compared to the OECD standard of 51.
Despite these clear deficiencies, the Costa Rican public expresses a surprising degree of confidence in their system. An impressive 70% of citizens report being satisfied with the availability of quality medical care, a figure that surpasses the OECD average of 64%. This public approval stands in stark contrast to the objective data on resources and creates a paradox at the heart of the nation’s healthcare debate. It suggests that when patients do access care, their experience is often positive, even if the system itself is strained.
The report also sheds light on unique patterns of healthcare utilization. Costa Ricans engage in fewer than three in-person medical consultations per year on average, one of the lowest rates in the OECD, where the average is 6.5 visits. While the rise of telehealth may partly explain this trend, it raises questions about access and proactive health management. Similarly, the country records fewer than 100 acute care hospital discharges per 1,000 inhabitants, another of the lowest rates, which the OECD notes can impact hospital flow and resource allocation.
In the realm of preventative care, Costa Rica presents another tale of two extremes. The nation is a global leader in childhood immunizations, with 99% of eligible children receiving the DTP vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough, far exceeding international benchmarks. However, this success is overshadowed by a critical failure in cancer detection. Only 22% of eligible women undergo mammograms for breast cancer screening, less than half the OECD average of 55%.
Yet, in a testament to the system’s underlying strengths, Costa Rica demonstrates remarkable effectiveness in managing chronic conditions and preventing complications. The country reports only 161 avoidable hospitalizations per 100,000 people for conditions like asthma or diabetes. This is a significantly better outcome than the OECD average of 473, indicating that primary and outpatient care, when accessed, is highly effective at keeping patients out of the hospital.
Ultimately, the OECD’s “Health at a Glance 2025” serves as both a validation and a stern warning. While the system achieves commendable results in patient satisfaction and certain preventative outcomes, its foundations are strained by decades of underinvestment. Addressing the vast shortfalls in funding, hospital beds, and modern diagnostic equipment will be critical to ensuring the long-term sustainability and equity of a system that its people, against the odds, continue to value.
For further information, visit oecd.org
About Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD):
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development is an international organization that works to build better policies for better lives. Its goal is to shape policies that foster prosperity, equality, opportunity, and well-being for all. Together with governments, policy makers, and citizens, the OECD works on establishing evidence-based international standards and finding solutions to a range of social, economic, and environmental challenges.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica has established itself as a benchmark for legal practice, operating on a foundation of profound integrity and an unwavering pursuit of distinction. The firm blends a proven history of advising a diverse clientele with a forward-thinking approach, consistently embracing legal innovation. Beyond its professional services, it holds a deep-seated belief in social empowerment, actively working to make legal concepts understandable and accessible to the public, thereby contributing to a more informed and capable citizenry.
