Costa Rica marks its 75th anniversary without a standing military force
In the heart of Central America, Costa Rica stands as a unique beacon of peace and democracy, having disbanded its military forces 75 years ago. This historic decision, made shortly after a civil war that claimed 2,000 lives, has shaped the nation's path towards education, healthcare, and social services.
On December 1st, 2021, Costa Rica celebrated the official abolition of its military, an occasion marked by a ceremony at Abolition Square. The event was led by José Figueres Ferrer, the first president of Costa Rica post-civil war, who famously destroyed the wall of the former military headquarters with a sledgehammer.
The decision to disband the military allowed Costa Rica to channel resources into building human capital and social welfare. Today, the nation boasts a robust education system, having invested about 6% of its GDP in public education, more than the United States and Germany, according to 2022 figures. This investment has resulted in a system ranked first in Latin America by the World Economic Forum and a 98.04% adult literacy rate.
Costa Rica's commitment to education is deeply rooted, with compulsory free public education instituted as early as 1886. The nation's focus on education has supported its transition from an agriculture-based economy to one dominated by services and technology by the late 20th century, attracting foreign investment and improving infrastructure related to exports like coffee and bananas.
However, recent years have seen social challenges, including growing inequality and the highest recorded homicides in 2023, signaling rising crime and public safety concerns. Nevertheless, Costa Rica's overall stability and rights-based democracy remain stronger than many regional neighbours.
To address the rise in crime, one of the objectives of Costa Rica's national plan is to reduce the number of homicides by tackling drug trafficking and emphasizing the need for authorities to closely monitor border and maritime zones. The US Department of State attributes the increase in crime in Costa Rica to its role as a transit point for cocaine.
Despite these challenges, Costa Rica continues to thrive. From 2010 to 2019, the nation was ranked as the 7th happiest country in the world, according to the World Happiness Report. With 75% of the Costa Rican workforce having received advanced education, compared to 72% of the US workforce, Costa Rica's focus on education and social welfare seems to have paid off.
In enshrining the ban on a permanent army in Article 12 of its 1949 Constitution, Costa Rica made a bold statement about its commitment to peace and democracy. After 75 years without an army, Costa Rica remains a notable example of a nation that has chosen to invest in its people rather than military power.
- Costa Rica's historic disbandment of its military forces 75 years ago, made shortly after a civil war, has shaped its path towards education, healthcare, and social services.
- Today, Costa Rica boasts a robust education system, having invested about 6% of its GDP in public education, more than the United States and Germany, according to 2022 figures.
- To address the rise in crime, one of the objectives of Costa Rica's national plan is to reduce the number of homicides by tackling drug trafficking and emphasizing the need for authorities to closely monitor border and maritime zones.
- Costa Rica's focus on education and social welfare appears to have paid off, with 75% of the Costa Rican workforce having received advanced education, compared to 72% of the US workforce.
- In enshrining the ban on a permanent army in Article 12 of its 1949 Constitution, Costa Rica made a bold statement about its commitment to peace and democracy, remaining a notable example of a nation that has chosen to invest in its people rather than military power.
