Costa Rica’s industrial contribution to GDP was 25.7% in 1990, but it followed a declining trend through the decades. By 2003, it had dropped to 24.2%, influenced by Costa Rica's shift towards high-value services, especially in technology and ecotourism. Industrial activity further decreased to 19.3% by 2017 as the country pursued sustainable growth and reduced dependence on traditional manufacturing. The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily pushed the sector to 20.4% in 2020, reflecting heightened demand for Costa Rica's exports, especially medical devices and electronic components. Despite this increase, industrial contribution stabilized at 20.6% in 2021 and 2022, showing Costa Rica’s continued prioritization of service and sustainable industries over traditional manufacturing.
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