- Investment shifted significantly in the Free Trade Zone regime outside the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM), moving from a negative -$38.2 million to a positive $240 million.
- Exports of goods and services saw an 8% increase, totaling $30.555 billion.
SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, April 5, 2025 — Costa Rica achieved a record $4.321 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2024, a 14% increase from the previous year. This surpasses the National Development and Public Investment Plan (PNDIP) target by 37% and includes 61 new projects. Sixteen of these projects are located outside the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM), generating $240 million in investment for those regions. Furthermore, 22 of the projects originated from countries other than the United States.
“Costa Rica’s economy is thriving due to trade and FDI. We have been the fastest-growing OECD country for two years running, with the OECD highlighting exports as a key driver of our economic growth,” stated Acting Minister of Foreign Trade, Indiana Trejos.
Laura López, General Manager of PROCOMER, commented: “These numbers demonstrate the success of our updated FDI strategy, particularly in attracting investment beyond the GAM. Over $200 million went into these regions, boosting export-related jobs and investment, supporting over 700,000 people. We are proud of these outcomes and dedicated to continuing this work for the good of the entire nation.”
The Free Trade Zone was the leading destination for FDI, accounting for 64.3% of the total. Tourism represented 13.9%, the definitive regime 12.2%, real estate 6.8%, financial services 2.4%, and inward processing 0.5%.
Investment in the Free Trade Zone rose by 24% compared to 2023 (+$531.6 million). Notably, investment in this regime outside the GAM increased significantly, from a negative -$38.2 million to a positive $240 million. This supports PROCOMER’s goal of promoting regional development, evidenced by the attraction of 16 new projects to these areas. Tourism-related investment also saw a substantial increase of 113% (+$318.6 million).
Manufacturing remained the dominant sector, attracting 67.4% of total FDI, followed by tourism (13.9%), real estate (6.8%), services (5.1%), financial services (2.4%), commerce (1.9%), agriculture (1.4%), and agribusiness (1.3%).
Exports of goods and services also showed strong performance. Data from PROCOMER and the Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR) indicates that total exports in 2024 reached $30.555 billion (excluding travel), an 8% increase from 2023. Goods exports totaled $19.894 billion (+9%), and service exports (excluding travel) reached $10.661 billion (+6%).
Exports of goods were primarily driven by precision and medical equipment, which grew by 14% (+$1.091 billion) and made up 44% of total exports, solidifying their position as Costa Rica’s top export sector. The agricultural sector, the second largest with 18% share, grew by 7% (+$227 million), while the food industry increased by 8% (+$182 million).
The service sector also performed well. Other business services accounted for 42% of exports, followed by travel (34%), IT, information and telecommunications (15%), transformation services (4%), and transportation (3%). Including travel, total service exports amounted to $16.1138 billion, a 9% increase.
SOURCE PROCOMER
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