People in Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s population is predominantly Christian (89 % Catholic and 8 % Protestant). In Latin America, the Costa Ricans are generally known as ‘ticos’ and ‘ticas’. This name became typical for Costa Ricans because, instead of using standard Latin American Spanish diminutives of ‘-ito’ and ‘-ita’, they use ‘-ico’ and ‘-ica’. For example, the standard diminutive form of ‘chiquito’ (small) is ‘chiquitito’. The Costa Ricans prefer to say ‘chiquitico’. Because they use this form of diminutive wherever possible, they have gained the affectionate nicknames ‘ticos’ and ‘ticas’.

According to the last census, 3 834 934 people live in Costa Rica. In the same year, the growth of population was 1.61 %, which is much lower than in previous years (1950: 3.5 %). Compared to the total surface area, the population density of 66 people per square kilometre seems relatively low, yet the population is very unevenly distributed. More than 50 % live in the high-density urban area in the central highland, which covers only about 10 % of the country.

Costa Rica has an extremely multi-cultural society, and is often called the country where all cultures are united. The majority of the population is descendants of the Spanish conquerors, the Creoles, yet this group can no longer be separated form the mestizos, who have both Spanish and Indian ancestors. On the Caribbean coast live a minority of blacks and mulattoes who had come from Jamaica to Costa Rica in the 19th century to build the railroads. Of the original Indians, only 35 000, belonging to 8 different tribes, are still living. In 1977, parliament passed the ‘Indígena Law’, which is still effect, guaranteeing 22 reservations where the land belongs only to this original population. There is also a minority of Asians living in Cost Rica, many Latin Americans from other countries, and many Europeans. There are 250 000 foreigners (7.6 % of the population).

Ticos are distinguished by their sympathetic nature, their courtesy, their peacefulness, and their happiness. To greet someone, and also as a general expression of joy and contentment, one says: ‘Pura vida!’