Free
91
/ 100
| Political Rights | 38 / 40 |
| Civil Liberties | 53 / 60 |
Last Year's Score & Status
91 / 100 Free
A country or territory’s Freedom in the World status depends on its aggregate Political Rights score, on a scale of 0–40, and its aggregate Civil Liberties score, on a scale of 0–60. See the methodology.
Costa Rica has a long history of democratic stability, with a multiparty political system and regular rotations of power through credible elections. Freedoms of expression and association are robust. The rule of law is generally strong, though presidents have often been implicated in corruption scandals. Among other ongoing concerns, violence related to drug trafficking and organized crime is rising sharply.
- High-profile cases of verbal attacks against the press and attempts to undermine critical media by President Rodrigo Chaves seen in 2022 and 2023 generally ceased during the year. However, in September, two journalists were prevented from asking a follow-up question as is customary in the president’s weekly press conference. The incident prompted the Institute of Press and Free Speech (IPLEX) to condemn any attempt to silence, restrict, or intimidate the media.
- In February, a commission tasked with investigating illegal financing of political parties during the last electoral campaign released a report concluding that the president was the “intellectual author” of illegal financing activities. A simple majority of legislators approved the report following its release. However, an accompanying political sanction was annulled the Constitutional Chamber on grounds that President Chaves was not granted an opportunity to defend himself during the investigation.
- President Chaves forcefully criticized Attorney General Carlo Díaz after Díaz ordered several arrests over an alleged corruption scheme involving Costa Rica’s Social Security Authority and its leader, Marta Esquivel. Among other comments, President Chaves stated that he feared the time would come when “we have to act as a society,” prompting a legislator to call for the president to face criminal charges for inciting sedition. Such clashes are rare in Costa Rica.
- Staff shortages, low wages, and budget cuts have weakened the judiciary, with some analysts reporting that organized crime groups are exploiting these vulnerabilities by bribing or threatening judges and prosecutors.
This report has been abridged for Freedom in the World 2025 due to ongoing budget constraints. Freedom in the World is entirely funded by nongovernmental sources such as private foundations, corporations, and individuals like you. Please consider making a donation to support future editions of this vital resource.
For additional background information, see last year’s full report.
A1 0-4 pts
| Was the current head of government or other chief national authority elected through free and fair elections? | 4 / 4 |
A2 0-4 pts
| Were the current national legislative representatives elected through free and fair elections? | 4 / 4 |
A3 0-4 pts
| Are the electoral laws and framework fair, and are they implemented impartially by the relevant election management bodies? | 4 / 4 |
B1 0-4 pts
| Do the people have the right to organize in different political parties or other competitive political groupings of their choice, and is the system free of undue obstacles to the rise and fall of these competing parties or groupings? | 4 / 4 |
B2 0-4 pts
| Is there a realistic opportunity for the opposition to increase its support or gain power through elections? | 4 / 4 |
B3 0-4 pts
| Are the people’s political choices free from domination by forces that are external to the political sphere, or by political forces that employ extrapolitical means? | 4 / 4 |
B4 0-4 pts
| Do various segments of the population (including ethnic, racial, religious, gender, LGBT+, and other relevant groups) have full political rights and electoral opportunities? | 3 / 4 |
C1 0-4 pts
| Do the freely elected head of government and national legislative representatives determine the policies of the government? | 4 / 4 |
C2 0-4 pts
| Are safeguards against official corruption strong and effective? | 3 / 4 |
C3 0-4 pts
| Does the government operate with openness and transparency? | 4 / 4 |
D1 0-4 pts
| Are there free and independent media? | 4 / 4 |
D2 0-4 pts
| Are individuals free to practice and express their religious faith or nonbelief in public and private? | 4 / 4 |
D3 0-4 pts
| Is there academic freedom, and is the educational system free from extensive political indoctrination? | 4 / 4 |
D4 0-4 pts
| Are individuals free to express their personal views on political or other sensitive topics without fear of surveillance or retribution? | 4 / 4 |
E1 0-4 pts
| Is there freedom of assembly? | 4 / 4 |
E2 0-4 pts
| Is there freedom for nongovernmental organizations, particularly those that are engaged in human rights– and governance-related work? | 4 / 4 |
E3 0-4 pts
| Is there freedom for trade unions and similar professional or labor organizations? | 3 / 4 |
F1 0-4 pts
| Is there an independent judiciary? | 4 / 4 |
F2 0-4 pts
| Does due process prevail in civil and criminal matters? | 3 / 4 |
F3 0-4 pts
| Is there protection from the illegitimate use of physical force and freedom from war and insurgencies? | 3 / 4 |
F4 0-4 pts
| Do laws, policies, and practices guarantee equal treatment of various segments of the population? | 3 / 4 |
G1 0-4 pts
| Do individuals enjoy freedom of movement, including the ability to change their place of residence, employment, or education? | 4 / 4 |
G2 0-4 pts
| Are individuals able to exercise the right to own property and establish private businesses without undue interference from state or nonstate actors? | 3 / 4 |
G3 0-4 pts
| Do individuals enjoy personal social freedoms, including choice of marriage partner and size of family, protection from domestic violence, and control over appearance? | 3 / 4 |
G4 0-4 pts
| Do individuals enjoy equality of opportunity and freedom from economic exploitation? | 3 / 4 |
