Costa Rica is a high-income country in Latin America and the Caribbean with 5.2 million people, most of them living in cities. Heat makes up 24% of the energy it uses, well below the world average of about 47%.
Oil is the largest source of heat (59%), followed by wood and other biomass (41%). In total, 59% of the heat comes from coal, oil and gas. Electricity makes up 24% of energy use and is generated mainly from hydropower (68%).
The country
| Population | 5.2 million2025 |
|---|---|
| GDP per capita | US$ 20,0002025 |
| Area | 51,100 km²2024 |
| Urban population | 80%2025 |
| Access to electricity | 100%2024 |
| Access to clean cooking | 97%2024 |
| Final energy use | 46 TWh2023 |
Where the energy goes
Final energy use in Costa Rica, 2023: 46 TWh.
- Heat24%
- Electricity24%
- Transport52%
Heat in five numbers
| Heatshare of all final energy use | 24% |
|---|---|
| Fossil heatshare of heat that comes from coal, oil and gas | 59% |
| Oilthe largest single source of heat | 59% |
| Electricityshare of final energy use, excluding transport | 24% |
| Fossil electricityshare of electricity generated from coal, oil and gas | 5% |
Heat is all fuel and district heating used in industry, buildings and agriculture. Electricity that becomes heat, for example in electric cookers and water heaters, is counted as electricity because no data is available, so the true heat share is somewhat higher.
Brazil
Mexico
Argentina
Colombia
Chile
Peru
Venezuela
Guatemala