Costa Rica Consolidates Its Position As The Tenth Largest Global Exporter Of Medical Devices

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The rapid growth of the medical device industr has positioned Costa Rica among the world's largest exporters.

This productive dynamism has achieved record exports, attracted large investments, and specialized the country in high-value technological products.

Between 2020 and 2024, exports in the sector grew at an average annual rate of 22%, reaching $8.675 billion, according to an analysis by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promoter (Procomer).

This performance allowed Costa Rica to position itself as the tenth largest global exporter of medical devices and the world leader in per capita exports.

As of October 2025, exports in the sector totaled $9.199 billion, representing year-on-year growth of 30%.

This means that, in just ten months, the country exceeded the total value exported during the whole of 2024, reflecting the strength of an industry that continues to expand despite the volatility of the international economic environment.

On the other hand, Costa Rica currently accounts for 52% of all new investments in the medical device industry in Latin America and has become the third largest recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) projects globally in this sector.

This attractiveness is due to a productive ecosystem that has demonstrated reliability, stability, and a high level of specialization.

More than 100 multinational companies currently operate in the country, coming from markets such as the United States, Germany, Ireland, Sweden, Japan, and Spain, among others.

These companies develop advanced processes in areas such as endoscopy, cardiology, orthopedics, ophthalmology, diagnostics, and advanced surgical solutions, which has raised the technological and production standards of the industry in the country.

As a result of this evolution, medical devices have become the main export item for domestic goods, accounting for 48% of the total.

Products manufactured in Costa Rica are sold in markets in the Americas, Europe, and Asia.

Currently, Costa Rica exports 164 different products from the sector to 88 international markets, according to Procomer.

The main products are needles, catheters, and cannulas, which account for 41.5% of exports; other medical devices, with 30.8%; and medical prostheses, which represent 14.5%.

The United States remains the main destination, with 66.5% of total exports, followed by the Netherlands and Belgium.

One of the key factors in this consolidation has been the strengthening of the local supply chain.

In addition, the sector's growth has driven the development of specialized suppliers in areas such as molds, metalworking, plastics, sterilization, contract manufacturing, clean rooms, and precision assembly.

These production chains have improved operational efficiency and raised technical standards for domestic companies in different regions of the country.

“Costa Rica is a country that exports diversity: talent, capabilities, and solutions that improve lives around the world. This industry demonstrates that our capacity to innovate and generate cutting-edge technology knows no bounds. Our country not only attracts specialized investment, but also manufactures and exports products with extremely high added value, thanks to a unique value proposition that combines stability, human talent, and a commitment to quality,” said Laura López, general manager of Procomer.

The post Costa Rica Consolidates Its Position As The Tenth Largest Global Exporter Of Medical Devices appeared first on The Costa Rica News.

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