Costa Rica

Key Data

• In 2022, the rate of intentional homicide reached 12.6 per 100,000 population 
• Records show 68 victims of intentional homicide, as compared to the same period in 2021.
• Victims are 92.7% male, 7.2% female and 0.2% of unknown sex.
• On average, 55 victims of intentional homicide are recorded per month, six more victims per month compared to the same period in 2021.
• The primary victims of intentional homicide continue to be young people, with 53% pf tje, between 20 and 34 years of age.
• Some 72% of intentional homicides were committed using a firearm, 16% using a sharp weapon, and 12% by other means.
• As to the motive, 63% of intentional homicides were linked to organized crime.
• Provinces where occurrence is highest: Limon, San Jose, Puntarenas and Alajuela.
• Women are the main victims of domestic violence: Eight in 10 victims are female and four in five perpetrators are male (2021).
•  According to the 2022 National Citizen Security Survey Costa Rica:
  • 65.5% of people consider the country not very or not at all safe.  
  •  Women perceive more intensely the likelihood of becoming a victim of crime.
• During 2021, some 5,419 people were charged with infringement of the Weapons and Explosives Law. According to the Ministry of Public Security, nine in ten infractions involved illegal carrying of a sharp weapon or firearm.
• In 2021, there were 84,770 people charged with violating the Law on narcotics, psychotropic substances, unauthorized drug use, and related activities, money laundering and financing terrorism. About 98% of these violations involved drug possession.

Source: Judicial Investigation DepartmentObservatory on Gender-Based Violence against Women and Access to Justice and 2022 National Citizen Security Survey, Costa Rica.