Costa Rica experienced a significant economic expansion, with a 5.1% growth in 2023, building on the previous year’s 4.6% increase. The cumulative growth from 2021 to 2023 was 18.6%. A third of the 2023 growth was attributed to companies in special regimes, notably free trade zones. The current account deficit was USD 845 mln, or 1.0% of GDP, a reduction from 3.2% in the previous year, driven by a decrease in the merchandise trade deficit.