Credit and savings dynamics in the context of the Covid-19 crisis in Costa Rica (2019–2023)

Authors

  • Roxana Morales Ramos National University, Costa Rica
  • Javier Rodríguez Ramírez National University, Costa Rica
  • Christian González Hernández National University, Costa Rica

Keywords:

savings, credit, macroeconomic impacts, production, interest rates

Abstract

In December 2019, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 caused a severe health, economic, and social impact globally. This article examines the effects of the pandemic on credit and private savings in Costa Rica, using a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative and qualitative data from official sources and media reports, covering the period 2019–2023. During 2020, the most critical year, real GDP contracted, affecting key macroeconomic variables, including savings and credit. The behavior of these indicators reveals an economic crisis whose magnitude was amplified by pre-existing structural conditions that exacerbated the effects of the pandemic.

Author Biographies

  • Roxana Morales Ramos, National University, Costa Rica

    Master's in Development Economics with an emphasis on Macroeconomic Management and Public Policies. Coordinator of the Economic and Social Observatory of the School of Economics at the National University, Costa Rica. Email: roxana.morales.ramos@una.ac.cr ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6609-6090

  • Javier Rodríguez Ramírez, National University, Costa Rica

    Doctor in Business Sciences. Academic, School of Economics at the National University, Costa Rica. Email: javier.rodriguez.ramirez@una.ac.cr ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4023-1887

  • Christian González Hernández, National University, Costa Rica

    Master's in Public Management and Finance. Academic, School of Economics at the National University, Costa Rica. Email: cristian.gonzalez.hernandez@una.cr ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6452-9734

References

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Costa Rica. (2020, 23 de marzo). Ley N.° 9839: Entrega del Fondo de Capitalización Laboral a los trabajadores afectados por crisis económica. https://pgrweb.go.cr/scij/Busqueda/Normativa/Normas/nrm_texto_completo.aspx?param1=NRTC&nValor1=1&nValor2=90979&nValor3=120021&param2=1&strTipM=TC&lResultado=1&strSim=simp

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Published

2025-12-30

Issue

No. 36 (2025): N° 36: JUL-DEC 2025

Section

Science article

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