The Costa Rican government is ruled by a series of constitutional controls. The executive responsibilities rest on the President, supported by two Vice-presidents and a 57 Congressmen cabinet; all of them are elected every 4 years.

The country has a strong legal system that manages the ‘Judicial Power’, which ensures law compliance and covers nationals, as well as foreigners within the country’s territory.

The 2008 World Bank Study for Global Governance Indicators ranks Costa Rica in the first place within Latin America for political stability.

One of the pillars of the Costa Rican economic development has been trade liberalization, which has allowed exports to surpass its 30% ratio of GDP in 1980 to a current 50% rate (includes exports of goods and services).

This trade liberalization has been followed by a series of structural changes resulting in productivity growth, diversification of the economy and a higher level of investment.

The real GDP has been increasing at a compound annual growth rate of 5.3% since 1991.

All these changes have translated into important social achievements. In the last 20 years poverty was reduced from 40% to less than 20%.