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Costa Rican Poverty Level
Remains High
In Costa Rica more than one in
five people (21.2 percent)
remain below the poverty level
and 5.6% are extremely
poor, an official survey
reports.
This, despite an unusual
increase in the labor force that
should mean modest increase in
family income although
unemployment and underemployment
are still a high 15%,
according to a National
Institute of Statistics and
Census study.
The national survey found
poverty and unemployment higher
in rural areas and affecting
more men than women.
Analysts say the application of
neoliberal policies and
privatization of important
economic sectors in Costa Rica
has caused a higher cost of
living, with an impact on
workers and farmers.
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