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San José, Costa Rica

  • City population: 
    336,792
  • City/Urban area: 
    45
  • Population Density: 
    More than 500 inhabitants per km²
  • GDP - country: 
    USD$ 10,528
  • Average number of years of schooling: 
    9.8

Overcoming barriers and transforming realities

San José is a city where every citizen has the opportunity to overcome the difficulties he or she faces. The local government strongly believes that learning throughout life has the potential to enrich people’s lives and bring self-fulfilment. It is a valuable tool for overcoming challenges related to social cohesion, and to economic and cultural development.

Vision and motivation

To become a Learning City, San José is committed to expanding its social services and investing in its cultural and economic development. It is devoting special attention to its vulnerable and less advantaged populations.

Challenges and goals

San José fights poverty and strives to expand economically and culturally, with a particular focus on:

  • personal empowerment;
  • social cohesion;
  • cultural promotion; and
  • continuing learning.

Plan and implementation

To reduce poverty and help improve its citizens’ quality of life, the city provides:

  • employment programmes and ongoing training: technical education, career guidance and job placements that fulfil labour market demands and promote employment opportunities for vulnerable young people;
  • night shelters: temporary basic accommodation for homeless people, helping to improve their living conditions and social reintegration; and
  • a drug rehabilitation centre: treatment programmes to help low-income addicts overcome their drug habits.

The city also invests in sports and recreation, neighbourhood revitalization schemes, public safety and waste management.

UIL is not responsible for the content of this city profile.

San José
Costa Rica

Mayor

Mr Johnny Araya Monge

Contact Person

Ms Paula Vargas Ramirez
Contact language
Spanish

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