Costa Rica Attracts 67 Foreign Direct Investment Projects in 2025 Led by CINDE's Efforts
In 2025, Costa Rica achieved a remarkable milestone in foreign direct investment (FDI), drawing 67 significant projects, as reported by CINDE, the country’s private investment promotion agency. This increase comprises 19 new projects and 48 reinvestments from various global firms, emphasizing Costa Rica's growing reputation as a hub for advanced services, life sciences, and high-precision manufacturing.
The influx of new investments reflects a significant transformation in Costa Rica’s economic landscape, steering it towards higher levels of technical sophistication and knowledge-intensive activities. Notably, these investments included the establishment of advanced digital operations, centers of excellence, and automated medical systems. Such developments showcase a strategic pivot away from traditional sectors to more complex operations that require specialized skills and advanced technologies.
With multinational operations employing over 195,000 individuals, the FDI sector ended 2025 with a net growth of 3,259 jobs, although signs of a global slowdown loom over the landscape, indicating the necessity for proactive measures to sustain competitiveness. The multinational companies that expanded their operations not only contributed to job creation but also enforced a shift towards modernizing the workforce with tech-driven roles.
Out of the new projects secured, 13 were focused on services, showcasing investments in shared services centers and advanced digital operations. This segment included areas such as customer success, user experience, data analytics, and cybersecurity, catering to the growing demand for digital proficiency in the region. Meanwhile, the life sciences sector attracted five projects, which significantly advanced medical automation and high-precision production lines.
An interesting aspect of this investment surge is geographical diversification; 48% of new projects hailed from companies based outside the United States, highlighting Costa Rica’s expanding global appeal. Furthermore, 21% of the investments were made beyond the Greater Metropolitan Area, illustrating a strategy focused on regional development and resource optimization.
CINDE confirmed that the 48 reinvestment decisions by existing multinational firms further signify confidence in Costa Rica's economic environment. The majority of these reinvestments were in services, specifically in IT, analytics, and complex finance, with life sciences following closely with innovative enhancements in production and quality functions.
Ana María Romero, Investment Advisory Manager at CINDE, emphasizes the trend of corporate processes transforming toward value-added functions. Companies like ACQUIA, Progress, and Duracell illustrate this trajectory, demanding highly specialized talent for their advanced operations.
CINDE is prioritizing initiatives to bridge the talent gap in alignment with business needs in advanced services and engineering. Collaborative efforts with academic institutions and public sectors have led to over 35,000 training opportunities focusing on technical and digital skills development over the past four years. Vanessa Gibson, CINDE's Director of Investment Climate, stated, "We are dedicated to enhancing employability and competitiveness for the country through targeted training programs."
The positive trend seen in 2025 solidifies Costa Rica's status as a trusted destination for global investors, particularly in the context of evolving technological requirements and sustainability efforts. As the nation continues to attract sophisticated investment, the collaborative ecosystem developed by CINDE will play a pivotal role in fostering high-value employment opportunities, ensuring that talent flourishes alongside economic growth.
The influx of new investments reflects a significant transformation in Costa Rica’s economic landscape, steering it towards higher levels of technical sophistication and knowledge-intensive activities. Notably, these investments included the establishment of advanced digital operations, centers of excellence, and automated medical systems. Such developments showcase a strategic pivot away from traditional sectors to more complex operations that require specialized skills and advanced technologies.
The Economic Impact
With multinational operations employing over 195,000 individuals, the FDI sector ended 2025 with a net growth of 3,259 jobs, although signs of a global slowdown loom over the landscape, indicating the necessity for proactive measures to sustain competitiveness. The multinational companies that expanded their operations not only contributed to job creation but also enforced a shift towards modernizing the workforce with tech-driven roles.
Out of the new projects secured, 13 were focused on services, showcasing investments in shared services centers and advanced digital operations. This segment included areas such as customer success, user experience, data analytics, and cybersecurity, catering to the growing demand for digital proficiency in the region. Meanwhile, the life sciences sector attracted five projects, which significantly advanced medical automation and high-precision production lines.
Global Diversification
An interesting aspect of this investment surge is geographical diversification; 48% of new projects hailed from companies based outside the United States, highlighting Costa Rica’s expanding global appeal. Furthermore, 21% of the investments were made beyond the Greater Metropolitan Area, illustrating a strategy focused on regional development and resource optimization.
Continued Growth
CINDE confirmed that the 48 reinvestment decisions by existing multinational firms further signify confidence in Costa Rica's economic environment. The majority of these reinvestments were in services, specifically in IT, analytics, and complex finance, with life sciences following closely with innovative enhancements in production and quality functions.
Ana María Romero, Investment Advisory Manager at CINDE, emphasizes the trend of corporate processes transforming toward value-added functions. Companies like ACQUIA, Progress, and Duracell illustrate this trajectory, demanding highly specialized talent for their advanced operations.
Talent Initiatives
CINDE is prioritizing initiatives to bridge the talent gap in alignment with business needs in advanced services and engineering. Collaborative efforts with academic institutions and public sectors have led to over 35,000 training opportunities focusing on technical and digital skills development over the past four years. Vanessa Gibson, CINDE's Director of Investment Climate, stated, "We are dedicated to enhancing employability and competitiveness for the country through targeted training programs."
The positive trend seen in 2025 solidifies Costa Rica's status as a trusted destination for global investors, particularly in the context of evolving technological requirements and sustainability efforts. As the nation continues to attract sophisticated investment, the collaborative ecosystem developed by CINDE will play a pivotal role in fostering high-value employment opportunities, ensuring that talent flourishes alongside economic growth.
Topics Business Technology）
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