International companies branched in Costa Rica had generated 22,000 jobs last year, according to the Ministry of Foreign Commerce (COMEX).

Last year, 40 new international companies opened operations in the country, a record figure that is double what was reached in 2017 and 2018. Additionally, 61 international companies expanded their operations last year.

Ministry statistics show that services sector companies lead the attraction of new investments in 2022.

The life sciences sector booked five new companies, while seven new operations were set up in the manufacturing sector, three of them located in Orotina, Pérez Zeledón, and San Carlos.

Also, five new companies related to tourism infrastructure opened a branch in the country. 

Up to 50% of employees are women. This exceeds the national average, which is around 41%, which evidences the leadership of multinationals in the search for gender equity.

Regarding age distribution, it is estimated that 47% of the employees are people from 17 to 29 years old and 35% are people older than 40. Both populations have been indicated as requiring more employability opportunities in the country.

There are 402 multinational companies located in the country, providing a job for 184,200 people in the sectors of Services, Manufacturing, and Life Sciences.

One of the recent international firms investing in Costa Rica was the Chicago, Illinois headquartered TransUnion which announced the opening of a new Global Capability Center in Heredia Province.

Even though new businesses are creating jobs, the unemployment rate has increased to 11.7%, according to the National Employment Survey. The data recorded from October to December 2022, shows that there are more than 287,000 people without registered jobs. Of these, 159,000 are women, making up 55% of unemployed people in the country.

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