In Central America, rural areas are at the heart of food insecurity and poverty.

These challenges particularly have an impact on two groups: small rural farmers and indigenous communities.

CARE in partnership with local organisations, work to improve children’s health, nutrition, and the economic justice for women in Costa Rica. Boosting the productivity and income of women, both in rural and urban areas, is the key to fighting poverty and having an impact on future generations.

Fast Facts

Population: 5,256,612 (2023 est.)
Life expectancy: 79.87 years (77.23 years male, 82.65 years female) (2023 est.)
Infant mortality: 8.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.)
Under-5 mortality*: 7.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
Access to improved drinking water: 100% (100% urban, 100% rural)
Access to improved sanitation: 98.7% (99% urban, 97.1% rural)
Percentage of seats held by women in national parliament^: 47.4% (2022 est.)
GDP per capita: $21,200 (2021 est.)

Source: CIA World Factbook, *UNICEF, ^World Bank

Nourishing the Future

CARE operates a program called “Nutriendo al Futuro” in partnership with Glasswing. This program, managed from Honduras, focuses on providing food for children in five schools from five provinces who are facing economic challenges.

In this collaboration, we are working with a group of mothers and their children to grow their own vegetables. The vegetables are then harvested to feed their families and to sell. Farmers have also come together in groups to improve access to good seeds, fertilisers, and farming technology.

Working together with community members and community leaders, lead to an increase in food safety and nutrition for over 6,300 women, children and their communities throughout Costa Rica.

Donate now

Support our ongoing work to create a more equal world.

Your donation can help end extreme poverty and give people the means to build a better future for themselves in countries like Costa Rica.

For those living in extreme poverty, your support brings education and training, nutritious food, and new ways to earn an income. And in times of crisis, you help us deliver emergency relief. Please donate today.