Costa Rica; 2002 Article IV Consultation—Staff Report; Staff Statement; and Public Information Notice on the Executive Board Discussion

This 2002 Article IV Consultation highlights that since 2000, economic growth in Costa Rica has slowed to about 2 percent. Inflation has remained at 10 percent, and unemployment has remained at about 6 percent. The external current account deficit has increased to about 5.5 percent of GDP, reflecting a sharp increase in imports of capital goods by public enterprises, and a loss of dynamism of exports, associated in part with some weakening of international competitiveness. Progress in other areas of structural reform has also slowed in recent years.