Costa Rica has maintained a military-free status for a span of 75 years
Costa Rica Celebrates 75 Years of Peace and Prosperity
Costa Rica marked a significant milestone in December 2021, commemorating 75 years since the abolition of its military. This historic decision, made in 1949 by President José Figueres Ferrer, has shaped Costa Rica's path towards peace, stability, and development.
Before the abolition, Figueres Ferrer's party had won the general elections, but the government in power declared the results fraudulent, plunging the country into a civil war that cost the lives of 2,000 people. Figueres Ferrer, the first president of Costa Rica post-war, drafted the current constitution in 1948, which included the prohibition of the army as a permanent institution.
In the years following the abolition, Costa Rica has thrived. Unlike other Latin American countries, Costa Rica relies on its police for security due to its constitution, which only allows necessary police forces for public safety and the preservation of public order. This decision has helped transform Costa Rica into a stable democracy, preventing coups and violent revolutions common in the region.
The focus on peace and human development has strengthened social stability, reduced internal conflict, and fostered economic progress. Costa Rica has become a leader in environmental conservation and ecotourism, and it consistently ranks high in global happiness reports. According to the World Happiness Report, Costa Rica was the 7th happiest country in the world from 2010 to 2019.
However, recent data shows a concerning increase in crime rates. In 2023, Costa Rica saw a 26% increase in homicides compared to 2022, according to official data from the Costa Rican judicial power. More than 600 (around 70%) of the homicides in 2023 were due to settling of scores or revenge.
The U.S. State Department attributes the increase in crime to Costa Rica's role as a transit point for cocaine. In response, one of the objectives of the Costa Rican national plan is to reduce the number of homicides by tackling drug trafficking and emphasizing the need for authorities to closely monitor border and maritime areas.
Despite the rise in crime, Costa Rica's investment in education remains impressive. In 2022, Costa Rica invested 6.3% of its gross domestic product in public education, more than the United States and Germany, according to the World Bank. An astonishing 75% of the Costa Rican workforce has received advanced education, compared to 72% in the United States.
The commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the abolition of the army took place at Abolition Square, a testament to the enduring legacy of peace and prosperity that Costa Rica has built over the past seven decades. Despite the recent increase in crime, Costa Rica's commitment to peace, education, and social welfare continues to shape its future as a beacon of stability and progress in Latin America.
[1] BBC News. (2019, December 1). Costa Rica marks 70 years without an army. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-50846248
[2] The Guardian. (2019, December 1). Costa Rica celebrates 70 years without an army. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/01/costa-rica-celebrates-70-years-without-an-army
[3] The New York Times. (2019, December 1). Costa Rica Marks 70 Years Without a Standing Army. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/01/world/americas/costa-rica-army-anniversary.html
[4] World Bank. (2021). Costa Rica Overview. [online] Available at: https://data.worldbank.org/country/costa-rica
[5] The Costa Rican Government. (2021). History of Costa Rica. [online] Available at: https://www.costarica.co.cr/history-of-costa-rica/
- Costa Rica's commitment to sustainable living, as evidenced by its leadership in environmental conservation and ecotourism, is a significant aspect of its lifestyle and home-and-garden practices.
- The abolition of the military in Costa Rica in 1949 marked a turning point for the country's policy-and-legislation, leading to a focus on education-and-self-development, rather than war-and-conflicts.
- The peaceful environment fostered by Costa Rica's constitutions has contributed to its politics being free from coups and violent revolutions, a contrast to many other Latin American countries.
- Online-education has become a crucial part of Costa Rica's education system, with the country investing significantly more in public education compared to the United States and Germany.
- Despite the rise in crime rates, particularly homicides due to settling of scores or revenge, Costa Rica continues to prioritize general-news reporting to keep its citizens informed.
- The increase in crime and drug trafficking has become a matter of crime-and-justice, with Costa Rica's national plan emphasizing the need to reduce homicides and closely monitor border and maritime areas.
