Costa Rica faces demographic shifts as population ages

Costa Rica is experiencing significant demographic changes, with the population aged 65 and older projected to double over the next twenty years. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC), people aged 65 or older accounted for 10.1% of the population in 2022, up from 5.6% in 2000. Conversely, the proportion of children under 15 decreased from 31.9% to 20.8% during the same period.

This aging trend necessitates a reevaluation of public and private infrastructure to maintain autonomy for older citizens. Experts suggest that environmental factors, such as specialized lighting design, play a crucial role in safety and independence. Effective lighting must address contrast, glare, and shadows to assist with daily tasks like reading, navigating stairs, or identifying faces, rather than simply increasing brightness.

Beyond infrastructure, the country's demographic profile is part of a broader cultural identity defined by a multiethnic and multicultural constitution. While the population continues to grow at an annual rate of 1.4%, the distribution remains concentrated in central provinces like San José and Alajuela.