Country Details

Costa Rica

Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama

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Military and Security

Detailed information and insights

Military and security forces

Ministry of Public Security (Ministerio de Seguridad Pública de Costa Rica): National Police (Fuerza Pública), Air Surveillance Service (Servicio de Vigilancia Aérea), National Coast Guard Service (Servicio Nacional de Guardacostas), Drug Control Police (Policía Control de Drogas), Border Police (Policia de Fronteras), Professional Migration Police (Policía Profesional de Migración)

Ministry of Presidency: Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS), Special Intervention Unit (UEI) (2025)

Note

note: Costa Rica's armed forces were constitutionally abolished in 1949

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2024

0.6% of GDP (2024 est.)

Military Expenditures 2023

0.6% of GDP (2023 est.)

Military Expenditures 2022

0.6% of GDP (2022 est.)

Military Expenditures 2021

0.7% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military Expenditures 2020

0.7% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 10-15,000 Ministry of Public Security personnel (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the National Police are lightly armed although small special units are trained and equipped for tactical operations; the US has provided equipment and support to forces such as the Coast Guard, including secondhand US vessels and aircraft (2025)

Military - note

Costa Rica relies on specialized paramilitary units within the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) for internal security missions and countering transnational threats such as narcotics smuggling and organized crime, as well as for participating in regional security operations and exercises; MPS forces have received advisory and training support from the US (2025)