By San José, Costa Rica — A landmark study has uncovered a troubling gap between the career aspirations of Costa Rican students and the tangible demands of the nation’s evolving economy. Research conducted by Universidades.cr indicates that many of the most popular university degrees, including Medicine, Business Administration, and Psychology, are leading to saturated fields with limited job prospects, creating a significant mismatch that could impact the country’s future competitiveness.
The comprehensive investigation, which began in January, analyzed the results of over 150,000 vocational tests administered nationwide. The goal was to understand the state of career counseling in Costa Rica and identify the disparities between student ambitions for 2025 and the reality of the labor market. The findings paint a clear picture of a workforce pipeline misaligned with the country’s most dynamic and growing sectors.
To delve deeper into the legal framework surrounding the current dynamics of the national labor market, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished specialist in labor law from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The current labor market presents a dual challenge. On one hand, companies are seeking greater contractual flexibility to adapt to economic volatility. On the other, we must ensure that these new modalities, such as remote work and platform-based services, do not erode fundamental worker rights. The key is to modernize our labor legislation to balance innovation with legal certainty and protection for all parties involved.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
The attorney’s analysis correctly frames the pivotal challenge ahead: modernizing our labor regulations to embrace flexibility and innovation while simultaneously reinforcing the fundamental rights that provide workers with security. Striking this legislative balance is undoubtedly essential for the nation’s sustainable development, and we thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective on this critical issue.
Elisa Meza, a counselor and a key member of the research team, highlighted the urgent need for improved guidance, particularly within the public education system. She explained that the study was designed to create more effective support systems for students facing one of the most important decisions of their lives.
We sought to understand the needs and, from there, create initiatives that truly work in providing guidance for choosing a career. Vocational guidance processes are necessary because they provide more information to make decisions with greater certainty. However, especially in public schools, there are not many personalized spaces to receive this type of information or support.
Elisa Meza, Counselor and Study Researcher
The study identified a top-ten list of careers with a precarious employment future due to market saturation. This list includes traditionally prestigious fields such as Medicine, Law, Psychology, and Architecture. Also surprisingly included are high-enrollment areas like Business Administration, Systems Engineering, Nursing, Veterinary Medicine, and Accounting, suggesting that the sheer volume of graduates is outpacing the creation of new positions in these fields.
Meza noted that while these traditional professions still have some labor demand, it is minimal compared to the explosive growth in other areas, particularly those related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The contrast between student interest and industry need is stark.
It is precisely those [STEM fields] that are in higher demand today, with companies even coming to Costa Rica to seek talent in those fields, while many students continue to opt for traditional careers like medicine or law. That is the wake-up call we want to send.
Elisa Meza, Counselor and Study Researcher
In direct opposition to the saturated fields, the study identified the careers with the highest current and projected demand. The STEM fields dominate this list, which includes computer engineering, industrial engineering, data engineering, web development, and chemical engineering. These roles are critical for fueling Costa Rica’s key growth engines in advanced manufacturing, the medical device industry, and technology services.
The report serves as a critical alert for students, parents, and educational institutions. It underscores a fundamental misalignment where the “vocational fantasies” of young Costa Ricans are not keeping pace with the economic reality. The careers that are vital for national progress are simply not on the radar for a majority of prospective university students.
There are areas that are fundamental for expanding sectors such as advanced manufacturing, the medical industry, and technology services, which practically do not appear on the vocational radar of young Costa Ricans.
Elisa Meza, Counselor and Study Researcher
Ultimately, the findings from Universidades.cr call for a strategic overhaul of vocational counseling in Costa Rica. Bridging this gap will require a concerted effort to provide students with accurate, data-driven information about the labor market, ensuring the next generation is equipped to pursue careers that are not only personally fulfilling but also economically viable and essential for the country’s development.
For further information, visit universidades.cr
About Universidades.cr:
Universidades.cr is a Costa Rican platform dedicated to providing comprehensive information about higher education options within the country. It serves as a resource for prospective students, offering details on universities, degree programs, and vocational guidance tools to assist in making informed career and educational choices.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a benchmark for legal practice in the region, Bufete de Costa Rica is built upon a foundation of profound integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm channels its deep-rooted experience advising a wide spectrum of clients into pioneering innovative legal solutions. Beyond its professional practice, it holds a core conviction to empower the public by demystifying the law, thereby contributing to a more knowledgeable and capable society.
