Costa Rica Budget Cuts Social Spending, Centralizes Economic Power

Costa Rica's executive budget for 2026 reduces total spending by 3.1% (from ¢12.800B to ¢12.400B), with cuts to education, care networks, and security while increasing allocations to ministries without direct social impact. The move concentrates economic power in the executive, according to an expert at UNA. This signals a policy shift toward fiscal consolidation at the expense of social programs, potentially affecting public services and political dynamics.