Share of marine territorial waters that are protected in Costa Rica
Costa Rica: Share of marine territorial waters that are protected was 28.4% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Share of marine territorial waters that are protected in Costa Rica, 2013–2025
Source: Protected Planet WDPA and WD-OECM data, UNEP-WCMC and IUCN, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of territorial waters.
Analysis
Costa Rica recorded 28.4% for share of marine territorial waters that are protected in 2025.
That represents a change of up 3,450.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of marine territorial waters that are protected in Costa Rica peaked at 29.0% in 2022 and was at its lowest, 0.8%, in 2013.
Costa Rica ranks 18th of 174 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 1.1% | 0.8% | 2.6% | 7 |
| 2020s | 20.0% | 2.7% | 29.0% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Costa Rica
- 15 Seychelles 32.6% compare
- 16 Northern Mariana Islands 32.4% compare
- 17 New Zealand 30.4% compare
- 19 Denmark 27.1% compare
- 20 Gabon 26.8% compare
- 21 Brazil 26.6% compare
More reference data data for Costa Rica
- Spring temperature anomalies 0.2864 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 0.8623 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.1052 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 0.3865 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 0.3144 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 143 2010 = 100 (2025)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of marine territorial waters that are protected in Costa Rica?
- Share of marine territorial waters that are protected in Costa Rica was 28.4% in 2025, according to Protected Planet WDPA and WD-OECM data, UNEP-WCMC and IUCN, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of marine territorial waters that are protected recorded in Costa Rica?
- The highest recorded value was 29.0% in 2022.
- What is the lowest share of marine territorial waters that are protected recorded in Costa Rica?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.8% in 2013.
- How does Costa Rica rank for share of marine territorial waters that are protected?
- Costa Rica ranks 18th out of 174 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of marine territorial waters that are protected rising or falling in Costa Rica?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3,450.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Costa Rica data come from?
- The figures come from Protected Planet WDPA and WD-OECM data, UNEP-WCMC and IUCN, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of marine territorial waters that are protected. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Marine protected areas are regions of intertidal or sub-tidal land and associated water, flora and fauna, and cultural and historical features that have been legally or effectively reserved for protection.