Costa Rica
Republic of Costa Rica
Latin America
See Prayer Information
Geography
Area: 51,100 sq km
Agriculturally and ecologically rich land that straddles the Central American isthmus.
Population: 4,639,827 Annual Growth: 1.40%
Capital: San José
Urbanites: 64.3%
HDI Rank: 54 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)
Peoples
Peoples: 21 (5% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card
Official language: Spanish. English and Mekitelyu spoken on Caribbean coast Languages: 13 All languages
Religion
Largest Religion: Christian
| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 4,358,653 | 93.94 | 1.3 |
| Evangelicals | 688,771 | 14.8 | 3.7 |
Answer to Prayer
The sustained and large-scale growth of evangelicals from 2.5% in 1970 to 15% in 2010. Some reckon as many as 25% to be of evangelical persuasion, but these higher numbers cannot be substantiated by denominational statistics. One of Latin America's most effective mission advances was established on this foundation.
Challenge for Prayer
The Roman Catholic Church is deeply impacted by charismatic renewal. Many have come to a living, personal faith in Christ, which has strengthened the Catholic Church (higher mass attendance, more indigenous seminarians and priests). Although 73% of the nation is Catholic, this percent declines every year, and most Catholics are quite nominal in their faith. From the charismatic renewal, many left the Catholic Church for evangelical churches; however, large and increasing numbers of “post-evangelicals” have returned to the familiarity and structure of Catholicism. Pray for both charismatics who stayed in the Catholic Church and those who have returned – may their faith bring further renewal to the mainstream of Catholicism.
