OCDE - Data on homelessness and housing exclusion 2026 - Costa Rica de 2026

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DATA ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION 2026: COSTA RICA © OECD 2026

Summary of key data and information Summary of key data and information Official statistical definition of homelessness (Table 1) Costa Rica defines homelessness as “men, women or family groups, without distinction of age, gender, disability condition, addiction condition, migratory status, ethnic background, sexual diversity and/or religion, with absence of a home or dwelling, in addition of being in a total or partial dependency condition, that move and wander around territories according to the means of subsistence that it generates. Usually these people live, survive and stay overnight in the streets of the main cities of Costa Rica, where the commercial and transit conditions favour the options for daily survival through the activities of begging and constant search of waste that can be useful for them.” Latest national estimates of homelessness (Table 2, Table 3) 7 378 individuals, representing 0.14% of the total population (2026) 9% are women, 91% are men Point-in-time count, based on the National Information System and Unified Registry of State Beneficiaries (SINIRUBE) ETHOS Light groups included Included: • ETHOS Light 1: Living on the streets, in public spaces • ETHOS Light 2: Emergency accommodation (e.g. shelters) • ETHOS Light 3: Accommodation for the homeless (e.g. hostels and women’s refuges) Not included: • ETHOS Light 4: People in institutions • ETHOS Light 5: People in non-conventional dwellings (e.g. caravans, cars or tents) • ETHOS Light 6: Living temporarily with others in conventional housing (e.g. sofa-surfing) Notes: Each ETHOS Light group includes one or more sub-categories of living situations. ETHOS Light groups are considered as “included” in the data collection approach if at least one of the sub-categories is counted. Legal framework to collect data on homelessness (Table 4)

Notes: Each ETHOS Light group includes one or more sub-categories of living situations. ETHOS Light groups are considered as “included” in the data collection approach if at least one of the sub-categories is counted.

Legal framework to collect data on homelessness (Table 4) National Statistical System Law, Number 9694 establishes the legal obligation for Costa Rica to collect different statistics, including the national census and different population studies. Homelessness Strategy (Table 5) • The process to update the National Policy for the Comprehensive Care of People in Situation of Abandonment and Street Situation (2016-2026) is underway, as the initial phases are in progress. Approaches to collect data on homelessness (Table 6) • Target Population Information System (SIPO): National registry of the number of individuals experiencing homelessness (Table 6.1). • National census: The Census includes questions on homelessness (Table 6.2).

Data on homelessness and housing exclusion 2026: Costa Rica2  DATA ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION 2026: COSTA RICA © OECD 2026

Table 1. Official statistical definition of homelessness Statistical definition Homelessness According to the Public Policy for the Comprehensive Care of People in Neglect Condition and Homeless 2016, homelessness is defined as “Men, women or family groups, without distinction of age, gender, disability condition, addiction condition, migratory status, ethnic background, sexual diversity and/or religion, with absence of a home or dwelling, in addition of being in a total or partial dependency condition, that move and wander around territories according to the means of subsistence that it generates. Usually these people live, survive and stay overnight in the streets of the main cities of Costa Rica, where the commercial and transit conditions favour the options for daily survival through the activities of begging and constant search of waste that can be useful for them.” Table 2. Data on people experiencing homelessness: Headline estimate, by living situation Presented according to ETHOS Light Typology Year Headline estimate of homelessness

commercial and transit conditions favour the options for daily survival through the activities of begging and constant search of waste that can be useful for them.” Table 2. Data on people experiencing homelessness: Headline estimate, by living situation Presented according to ETHOS Light Typology Year Headline estimate of homelessness (Individuals) % of total population ETHOS Light 1 People living rough ETHOS Light 2 People in emergency accommodation ETHOS Light 3 People in accommodation for the homeless ETHOS Light 4 People living in institutions ETHOS Light 5 People living in unconventional dwellings ETHOS Light 6 People staying with family/friends 2018 3 404 0.07% Not available Not available Not available Not available Not available Not available 2023 4 530 0.09% Included in headline estimate but not specified Included in headline estimate but not specified Included in headline estimate but not specified Not included Not included Not included 2026 7 378 0.14% Included in headline estimate but not specified Included in headline estimate but not specified Included in headline estimate but not specified Not included Not included Not included Metadata: • Type of count: Point-in-time • Data are comparable across years: No

• Included in headline estimate:

o Children: Yes o Temporary accommodation for: ‒ Asylum seekers: Yes ‒ Refugees: Yes ‒ Victims/survivors of domestic violence: No Note: Data refer to people experiencing homelessness registered in the Target Population System (SIPO) and the National Information System and

o Children: Yes o Temporary accommodation for: ‒ Asylum seekers: Yes ‒ Refugees: Yes ‒ Victims/survivors of domestic violence: No Note: Data refer to people experiencing homelessness registered in the Target Population System (SIPO) and the National Information System and Unified Registry of State Beneficiaries (SINIRUBE). According to the administrative data provided by the Social Assistance and Mixed Aid National (IMAS), through the Social Information Form for Institutionalised Persons or Pers ons Without a Fixed Address (FISI) and the Form of Social Information (FIS), a total of 1 366 persons under homelessness condition received assistance by IMAS in 2023. Percentage of population for year 2026 is an OECD calculation based on official statistical data from Costa Rica (2024) Source: OECD Questionnaire on Affordable and Social Housing (QuASH); Instituto Mixto de Ayuda Social (IMAS), Target Population System (SIPO). Table 3. Data on people experiencing homelessness: Headline estimate, by sub-group and living situation Presented according to ETHOS Light Typology, 2026 Single adults Men Women Youth (aged 15-29) Older people (aged 65 and over) Families with children (# of households) Headline estimate of homelessness NA 6 693 684 NA NA NA 3

DATA ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION 2026: COSTA RICA © OECD 2026

As percentage of total population experiencing homelessness NA 90.72% 9.28% NA NA NA ETHOS Light 1: People living rough NA NA NA NA NA NA ETHOS Light 2: People in emergency accommodation NA NA NA NA NA NA ETHOS Light 3: People in accommodation for the homeless NA NA NA NA NA NA ETHOS Light 4: People living in institutions NA NA NA NA NA NA ETHOS Light 5: People living in unconventional dwellings NA NA NA NA NA NA

ETHOS Light 3: People in accommodation for the homeless NA NA NA NA NA NA ETHOS Light 4: People living in institutions NA NA NA NA NA NA ETHOS Light 5: People living in unconventional dwellings NA NA NA NA NA NA ETHOS Light 6: People staying with family/friends NA NA NA NA NA NA Metadata: • Type of count: Point-in-time

• Included in headline estimate:

o Children: No o Temporary accommodation for: ‒ Asylum seekers: No ‒ Refugees: No ‒ Victims/survivors of domestic violence: No Note: Sub-groups are not mutually exclusive. Headline estimates are OECD calculations based on official percentages.

Source: OECD Questionnaire on Affordable and Social Ho using (QuASH); National Information System and Unified Registry of State Beneficiaries

(SINIRUBE).

Table 4. Legal framework to collect data on homelessness Legal framework Law that governs data collection on homelessness National Statistical System Law, Number 9694 Legal obligations National Statistical System Law, Number 9694 establishes the legal obligation for Costa Rica to collect different statistics, including the national census and different population studies. Accordingly, the National Statistics and Censuses Institute (INEC) carries out the surveys and statistical tools to address this legal duty. Table 5. Homelessness strategy Homelessness strategies in place National Homelessness Strategy The process to update the National Policy for the Comprehensive Care of People in Situation of Abandonment and Street Situation (2016-2026) is underway, as the initial phases are in progress. Regional and/or local homelessness strategies exist No Table 6. Approaches to collect data on homelessness 6.1. Target Population Information System (SIPO) Description Led by the Joint Social Welfare Institute (IMAS), the number of people e xperiencing homelessness are counted at the national level through the Social Information Form for Institutionalized Persons or Persons Without a Fixed Address (FISI) and the Form of Social Information (FIS). Surveyors accredited by

Description Led by the Joint Social Welfare Institute (IMAS), the number of people e xperiencing homelessness are counted at the national level through the Social Information Form for Institutionalized Persons or Persons Without a Fixed Address (FISI) and the Form of Social Information (FIS). Surveyors accredited by the IMAS complete these forms (primarily the FISI) or assist people experiencing homelessness to complete the forms. This allows the IMAS to differentiate between people who live permanently in institutions or social welfare ce ntres and those who live in the street and have no fixed addre ss. The data is incorporated into the Target Population Information System (SIPO), which determines eligibility to government-sponsored programmes. Type of count generated

• Point-in-time Methods Information management system on individuals experiencing homelessness4  DATA ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION 2026: COSTA RICA © OECD 2026

• Flow (period) Note: Both PIT and flow data is collected Lead authority(ies) Joint Social Welfare Institute (IMAS) Source(s) of information Individuals experiencing homelessness are surveyed directly Scope National level Depth of data • Data disaggregated by: sex, age, province, nationality, civil status, addictions.

Frequency Not specified ETHOS Light groups included: • ETHOS Light 1: Living on the streets, in public spaces • ETHOS Light 2: Emergency accommodation (e.g. shelters) • ETHOS Light 3: Accommodation for the homeless (e.g. hostels and women’s refuges) Note: Each ETHOS Light group includes one or more subcategories of living situations. ETHOS Light groups are considered as “included” in the data collection approach if at least one of the sub-categories is counted.

Notes and sources FISI and concepts

6.2. National Census Description The national census includes a question on homelessness. Type of count generated Point-in-time Methods Population census Lead authority(ies) National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC)

Notes and sources FISI and concepts

6.2. National Census Description The national census includes a question on homelessness. Type of count generated Point-in-time Methods Population census Lead authority(ies) National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC) Source(s) of information Individuals experiencing homelessness respond to the questionnaire Scope National level Depth of data Key demographic characteristics Frequency Every 10 years ETHOS Light groups included: • ETHOS Light 1: Living on the streets, in public spaces • ETHOS Light 2: Emergency accommodation (e.g. shelters) • ETHOS Light 3: Accommodation for the homeless (e.g. hostels and women’s refuges) Note: Each ETHOS Light group includes one or more subcategories of living situations. ETHOS Light groups are considered as “included” in the data collection approach if at least one of the sub-categories is counted.

Notes and sources 2011 Census | INEC

Please refer to the OECD Affordable Housing Database, indicator HC3.1.Population experiencing homelessness, https://www.oecd.org/content/oecd/en/data/datasets/oecd-affordable-housingdatabase.html. 5

DATA ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION 2026: COSTA RICA © OECD 2026

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