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Costa Rica's Surge in Medical Devices Export

A Thriving Sector

Costa Rica has transformed into one of the world’s most vibrant and innovative centers for medical device manufacturing and exports. According to a recent study titled "The World's Health Is Made in Costa Rica," conducted by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Agency (PROCOMER), the country has experienced an impressive annual growth rate of 22% in medical device exports from 2020 to 2024, reaching a remarkable total of USD 8.675 billion. This has solidified Costa Rica's position as the 10th largest exporter globally, while also ranking as the top exporter per capita.

Attracting Global Investment

In Latin America, Costa Rica accounts for 52% of all new investments in the medical device industry and stands as the third largest recipient of global Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects in this sector. More than 100 global firms from countries including the United States, Germany, Ireland, Sweden, Japan, and Spain have set up operations in Costa Rica, specializing in various fields like endoscopy, cardiology, orthopedics, ophthalmology, diagnostics, and advanced surgical solutions.

A Shift Towards Innovation

The results demonstrate Costa Rica's transition towards an innovation-driven economy characterized by advanced manufacturing and high-value production. Medical devices now represent 48% of the country’s total goods exports, reaching markets throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. PROCOMER’s data highlights that in October 2025 alone, medical device exports hit USD 9.199 billion, marking a 30% year-on-year growth and already surpassing prior totals for 2024.

Creating Global Impact

Laura López, the CEO of PROCOMER, emphasizes, "Costa Rica exports a diverse array of talents, capabilities, and solutions that enhance living conditions worldwide. This industry exemplifies our ability to innovate and deliver cutting-edge technologies without boundaries. Costa Rica not only attracts specialized investments but also produces and exports exceptionally high-value products backed by a unique value proposition that combines stability, skilled talent, and a strong commitment to quality."

Currently, Costa Rica exports 164 different medical products to 88 markets, with major categories including needles, catheters, and cannulas (41.5%), other medical devices (30.8%), and medical prosthetics (14.5%). The United States remains the largest destination for these exports, accounting for 66.5%, followed by the Netherlands and Belgium.

Strengthening Local Supply Chains

Additionally, Costa Rica has significantly strengthened its local supply chain, supported by specialized providers in tooling, metalworking, plastics, sterilization, contract manufacturing, clean rooms, and precision assembly. This ecosystem enables efficient operations and promotes knowledge transfer while enhancing industrial standards among local suppliers.

Essential Factors for Global Leadership

The PROCOMER study outlines several key elements contributing to Costa Rica’s leadership in the medical devices sector:

• - Economic, political, and social stability
• - A competitive matrix of renewable electricity
• - Highly skilled human resources
• - Advanced production and logistical infrastructure
• - Strong ties to the local supply chain
• - Over three decades of accumulated experience in high-tech manufacturing

Collectively, these advantages have allowed Costa Rica to evolve from basic manufacturing to highly precise and technologically sophisticated products, quadrupling the export of high-tech medical devices in under ten years.

The solidification of the medical devices sector highlights its role as a structural pillar in Costa Rica’s developmental model. The multiplier effects create higher-quality jobs, greater supplier integration, enhanced technology transfer, and increased presence in global healthcare value chains.

Looking Ahead

Other findings from the study indicate that the industry is set to continue expanding, driven by sustained international demand, ongoing innovation, and close collaboration among PROCOMER, the private sector, academia, and global strategic partners.