Costa Rica vs Latin America and the Caribbean: Life expectancy at birth
Costa Rica
81.19
in 2025
Latin America and the Caribbean
75.98
in 2025
Costa Rica rank
2nd
Latin America and the Caribbean rank
5th
Life expectancy at birth over time
- Costa Rica
- Latin America and the Caribbean
How they compare
Costa Rica currently reports 81.19 against 75.98 in Latin America and the Caribbean, a difference of 5.21.
That makes Costa Rica's figure about 1.1 times Latin America and the Caribbean's.
Across all 76 years both countries report, Costa Rica has been ahead every year.
Costa Rica ranks 2nd and Latin America and the Caribbean ranks 5th of 36 countries.
Costa Rica has averaged higher in every one of the 8 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Costa Rica | Latin America and the Caribbean | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 60.07 | 51.28 | 8.79 | Costa Rica |
| 1960s | 64.79 | 56.61 | 8.19 | Costa Rica |
| 1970s | 69.77 | 60.86 | 8.91 | Costa Rica |
| 1980s | 74.55 | 65.08 | 9.47 | Costa Rica |
| 1990s | 76.48 | 68.85 | 7.62 | Costa Rica |
| 2000s | 78.52 | 72.2 | 6.32 | Costa Rica |
| 2010s | 80.01 | 74.45 | 5.56 | Costa Rica |
| 2020s | 80.01 | 74.5 | 5.51 | Costa Rica |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher life expectancy at birth, Costa Rica or Latin America and the Caribbean?
- Costa Rica, at 81.19 against 75.98 in Latin America and the Caribbean as of 2025.
- What is the difference in life expectancy at birth between Costa Rica and Latin America and the Caribbean?
- 5.21, with Costa Rica ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Costa Rica and Latin America and the Caribbean?
- 76 years are reported by both, from 1950 to 2025.
- How do Costa Rica and Latin America and the Caribbean rank globally for life expectancy at birth?
- Costa Rica ranks 2nd and Latin America and the Caribbean ranks 5th of 36 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- UNICEF, published as Life expectancy at birth. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.