Costa Rica
May 1st

“Costa Rica, bring good news and proclaim salvation!”
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”(Isaiah 52:7,NIV)

》 Country Profile

Continent | America
Population | 5.2 million
Area | 51,100㎢, Located on the Central American Isthmus between Nicaragua and Panama.
Capital City | San Jose (1.44 million)
People Groups | Total 21 groups, Costa Ricans 78.4%, Mestizos 9.6%, Latin Americans 6.7%, Jamaicans 1.3%, Native Americans 0.9%, Chinese 0.7%
People Groups Unreached | 1 (0.1% of the population)
Officail Language(s) | Spanish
Total Languages | 15
Bible Translations | Completed 6, New Testament 5, Partial 2
Religion | Christian 95.6% (Protestant 9.6%, Catholic 74%), Non-religious 2.6%, Ethnic religion 0.3%, Buddhism 0.2%, others 1.3% Evangelicals 18.3% (940,000 people)

》 About Costa Rica

Costa Rica became a Spanish colony in 1509 and gained independence in 1821. In 1823, it joined four neighboring countries to form the Federal Republic of Central America but withdrew in 1838. In 1949, a civil war erupted over protests against electoral fraud, leading to significant reforms such as the abolition of the military, the introduction of social welfare policies, and the recognition of women’s suffrage, laying the foundation for a democratic state. Since the 1980s, Costa Rica has gained international stature by mediating conflicts in neighboring countries. Unlike many other Latin American countries, the majority of the population is descended from German and Spanish immigrants, and it has relatively high education and living standards. Rodrigo Chaves has been serving as president since 2022 for a four-year term.

The economy is driven by the export of bananas, coffee, sugar, and beef, with increasing exports of high-value products such as medical devices and processed agricultural goods. Tourism, supported by its mild climate and well-preserved natural environment, also bolsters the economy. Costa Rica maintains the highest foreign direct investment per capita in Latin America. However, challenges include budget deficits, rising public debt, and increased unemployment. For nearly two decades, about 20–25% of the population has lived in poverty. Public debt reaching 66.5% of the GDP casts a shadow over recent economic forecasts. Costa Rica’s GDP per capita is approximately $12,070.

》 Scripture Focus

》 Prayer Points

1. Christianity in Costa Rica is predominantly Roman Catholic, with 74% of the population, but much of this is nominal. However, the Charismatic Renewal movement has brought vitality. Evangelicals have grown to over 18% of the population. Despite progress, many new converts return to Catholicism or fall into cults. There is a lack of care for disciples and competition and division between churches and denominations is a challenge.
Pray that the churches will return to the message of the cross. The Scriptures say that “My people will know My Name”. Let’s pray that believers will be taught and trained to be disciples so that through the revival of the church, the good news will spread and bring salvation to all of Costa Rica.

2. The Costa Rica Evangelical Alliance, which represents most denominations, runs the “Costa Rica 21st Century” program, which focuses on evangelism and missions. Local churches and foreign mission organizations collaborate effectively on both domestic ministries and missions. The Christ for the City International (CFCI) organization sends short-term mission teams and aids the domestic poor. International mission groups such as Youth With A Mission (YWAM), Latin America Mission (LAM), Assemblies of God (AoG), Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE), and Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC) are also active. Pray for tight cooperation and servant-hearted mission efforts between these organizations. Pray for churches and missionaries to unite in spreading and teaching the gospel throughout Costa Rica, that grace and salvation may abound.

3. Indigenous groups, including the Cabécar (14,000 people), Bribri (14,000 people), Guaymí (4,000 people), and Maleku (1,400 people), are largely Catholic or follow spirit worship. Some churches and missionaries are working to share the gospel with them. The increasing population of Chinese (38,000 people) is being reached by the Chinese Christian Mission. The gospel also needs to reach Afro-Caribbean communities, Arabs, Iranians, and South Asians. Youth and children under 24 make up 37% of the population. They are often exposed to alcohol, drugs, violence, lack of morals, and sex trafficking. Pray that the ruins in Costa Rica may burst into songs of joy together, and that its people may be comforted and redeemed. 

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