An increase in resources for debt repayment, education and pensions account for the 12% increase in the 2017 budget compared to the 2016 budget.

According to a statement by the Ministry of Finance, "... the Bill for Fiscal Year 2017 is in the amount of ¢8.9 billion and is 12.1% higher than in 2016 ... due mainly to an increase in the debt settlement, resources for education and for the Ministry of Public Works and Transport. "

Criticism at the high projected budget was quickly forthcoming. Yolanda Fernandez, President of the Chamber of Commerce, said that "... ' Infrastructure is one of the main problems facing the country right now, so it is not fair to sacrifice the resources required in order to maintain an inefficient and excessively large state apparatus. In Costa Rica civil servants earn more than they do in all other Latin American countries, which is disproportionate to the economic and fiscal reality of the country'."

Another aspect strongly questioned is the increase in allocations for education, especially those aimed at state universities, with complaints that the educational outcomes fall short considering what is spent, which is above the average of OECD countries.

For the financial year 2017 the proposal of the Central Government amounts to ¢8,943.201.5 million (¢ 8.9 billion). Of this amount, 54.1% (¢ 4.8 billion) will be financed by revenue and 45.9 (¢ 4.1 trillion) through debt.

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A Country Corseted by the Privileged Few

September 2016

The 2017 budget drawn up by the government of Costa Rica is the result of an arithmetic exercise, where the political will of the Solis administration has barely reduced maintenance and has increased privileges in the dominant state corporations.

EDITORIAL 

Costa Rica Still Getting Future Generations Into Debt

September 2014

While the budget increases, the Solis administration is requesting World Bank loans to cushion the public debt, transferring the weight of the expenses to future Costa Rican generations.

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The Ministry of Finance has asked the multilateral technical assistance agency to analyze the country's debt policy and for an additional loan, the amount of which is still unknown, in order to pay part of the interest on the state's current debt.

$2 Billion Deficit in Costa Rica

December 2012

In November, the balance between government revenues and expenditures showed a deficit equivalent to 4% of GDP.

In November the government deficit amounted to $ 1.82 billion, or 4% of the gross domestic product (GDP), the same level as in 2010. Nevertheless, in 2010 the shortfall was lower, at $ 1.52 billion.

Costa Rica Budget for 2013 is $12.9 billion

November 2012

Congress has given final approval to the Costa Rica the government for the 2013 budget of $12.908 billion, 7.7% higher than in 2012 and a deficit of 45%, which will be financed with debt.

A statement from the Legislature reads:

The Legislative Assembly also passed with 27 votes from the 46 deputies present in the second debate the regular budget for next year, in archive number 18,554, which is around 6.4 billion colones of which 57% will be financed by fresh income and 43% with debt .