Innovation performance in Costa Rica

This chapter reviews Costa Rica’s aggregate innovation performance relative to OECD countries and Latin American countries with comparable or advanced levels of innovation system development, similar size and geographical proximity. The chapter starts by examining the availability of human capital and skills for science, technology and innovation. It then highlights R&amp expenditure trends across institutional sectors (business, higher education and government) and technology transfer and diffusion patterns. The chapter then reviews indicators of innovation output (including bibliometric, high-tech exports, trademarks) to highlight qualitative and quantitative characteristics of Costa Rica’s innovation system.