Costa Rican Community in Birmingham

Where they come from

Costa Rica lies in Central America, between Nicaragua and Panama, and is famous for its rainforests, volcanoes and extraordinary wildlife. It abolished its army in 1948 and invested in education and health instead. Spanish is the official language. Costa Ricans in Britain include students and professionals.

The community in numbers

At the 2021 Census, out of a city population of 1,144,919, 329 people living in the city had been born in Central America, a group that includes Costa Rica; and 976 Birmingham residents described their ethnic group as Hispanic or Latin American.

Working for Birmingham

Costa Rican residents study and work in fields such as environmental science, education, tourism, healthcare and business. Costa Rica is a world leader in conservation and renewable energy, and Costa Ricans bring that experience to their studies and careers.

Birmingham is one of the youngest and most diverse cities in Europe, and its progress has always depended on people who chose to make it home. Its hospitals, schools and universities, its building sites, workshops, warehouses and kitchens all rely on skills brought from around the world. The Costa Rican community adds its own share to that effort, and takes pride in giving back to the city that welcomed it.

Culture and community life

Pura vida is used as a greeting, a thank you and a way of life. Gallo pinto, rice and beans, is the national breakfast, and the painted oxcarts of Costa Rica, recognised by UNESCO, are a symbol of the country's craftsmanship. Coffee is a national pride.

Like so many of the communities that make up modern Birmingham, the Costa Rican community shows how a city can be home to many cultures at once. Its members are proud of where they come from, and just as proud to be Brummies.