Costa Rica
Leading cause: Cancer · 67% plant-based · 80.3 yr life expectancy · UHC 84/100
What People Eat
Cardiovascular and dietary profile drawn from WHO Global Health Estimates. Plant-based score reflects the share of whole plant foods (grains, legumes, vegetables, fruit, nuts) in the typical national diet.
Disease Burden
Leading cause of death: Cancer · 125 / 100k
Bars show each rate against the global range; the tick marks the world median.
Cancer (125/100k) leads with heart disease low, and Costa Rica's strong primary-care system delivers life expectancy rivaling far richer nations, the Nicoya Blue Zone lies within its borders. The traditional beans-and-rice (gallo pinto) diet is genuinely protective.
Healthcare System
Sources: WHO UHC Service Coverage Index (SDG 3.8.1) & WHO Global Health Expenditure Database. Latest available year.
What Could Improve
- Protect the gallo pinto bean-and-rice diet against rising sugar and processed foods.
- Costa Rica's prevention-first primary care is a model to sustain and extend.
Explore the evidence: Cancer
WHO Global Health Estimates · 2022 · age-standardized country data
→ 88 CVD deaths per 100k · 67% plant-based diet