Education and Health

Education is compulsory at the elementary level, between the ages of six and 13, and is free at both elementary and secondary level. State-owned and private primary and secondary schools are of a high standard and the country has one of the highest literacy rates in Latin America (up to 93 per cent). A number of foreign schools, catering to the English, French and German speaking communities, have opened in recent years. The academic year runs from March to November, with some English language schools following the US school calendar. There are six universities with a total of 77,000 students enrolled. Four other institutions offer undergraduate and master degrees in business administration. There is one correspondence university offering degrees in education, finance and administration.

Costa Rica is a leader among developing countries in the provision of health care and education facilities. A World Bank report in July 1991 praised Costa Rica for cutting its defense spending and re-allocating resources to social policies. Costa Rica spends 1 per cent of GDP on defense and more than 10 per cent on health and education. Even so, during the 1980s, economic demands forced the government to cut investment in education at a time when demand had been increasing, with 100,000 additional students.

Health services are provided by health insurance and through Ministry of Health units which operate a preventive health program in all parts of the country. Life expectancy in Costa Rica exceeds the average for industrial nations.