“In Costa Rica, the Tenth National Population Census and Sixth Housing Census was conducted by the National Institute for Statistics and Censuses (INEC) in 2011. It estimated that approximately 10.5 percent (452,859) of the population had some disability. By gender: women with disabilities represent 52 percent and men 48 percent.

“In terms of disability type, the most common was visual impairment even when wearing glasses or lenses (56 percent). This was followed by difficulties in walking or climbing steps (31 percent); impaired hearing (16 percent) and restricted use of arms or hands (11 percent). Learning difficulties, in speaking and intellectually, affect a lower percentage of people in this population group (Figure 1).”

Source: MDG Acceleration Framework. National Plan for Vocational Integration of People with Disabilities in Costa Rica. December 2012. Ministry of Work and Social Security of Costa Rica.

“According to figures from the Public Transport Board (CTP), 50 percent of the buses in the public service vehicle fleet have lifting platforms to allow access to people with disabilities. This is in line with the amendment to Article 46 Bis of the Regulation of Law 7600. However, this figure does not necessarily mean that these platforms are in good working order. As a result, many people with disabilities have to use private transport services as an alternative means for their daily travelling to education or health services, or to their workplaces. This has a significant impact on their incomes that, in general, tend to be average or low.⁷“

Source: MDG Acceleration Framework. National Plan for Vocational Integration of People with Disabilities in Costa Rica. December 2012. Ministry of Work and Social Security of Costa Rica.

Health Systems Facts is a project of the Real Reporting Foundation. We provide reliable statistics and other data from authoritative sources regarding health systems in the US and several other nations.

Page last updated Sept. 2, 2021 by Doug McVay, Editor.