Those considering international locations to expand business, invest, buy vacation property, relocate or retire must always take into account the stability of the country.  As a United States citizen that has relocated to Costa Rica, I am arguably biased as to why I think this beautiful country is a great choice for business and relocation ... however, my opinions are admittedly based more on personal feelings than hard facts.

The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited is a research and advisory company providing country, industry and management analysis worldwide.  Known for its country profiles, monthly country reports, five-year country economic forecasts, country risk service reports and industry reports; the Economist also specializes in tailored research for companies that require analysis for particular markets or business sectors.  Its regular reports include the 'liveability' of the world's major cities and the quality-of-life index which receive wide coverage in international news sources.

In a March 2009 special report titled "Manning the Barricades", The Economist issued a detailed forecast outlining the current world economic crisis and its possible effects on political stability.  Within the report individual countries where ranked for vulnerability of political instability. 

According to the report Costa Rica is rated one of the world's most stable countries ... with only 6 countries ranked higher out of 165.  Of all the countries in the Americas (North America, Central America, The Caribbean and South America); only Costa Rica and Canada made the top 20 - the U.S.A. ranked 55 overall.

Costa Rica is not utopia.  It is not for everybody and is still considered a 'developing' nation.  However, some of the misconceptions about Costa Rica are downright comical ... just today I read a question from a online poster asking if Costa Rica had Internet, cable television and cell phones.  Just in case you don't know; Costa Rica does have all three.  I'm posting this blog on my own high-speed cable Internet Wi-Fi connection from my three bedroom condominium filled with custom hardwood furniture while  a really great evening breeze comes through my bedroom window that remains open year-round.

What Costa Rica also has is a stable national banking system that didn't get involved in the high-risk lending practices experienced in other countries.  It's not a coincidence that the only banks in trouble here in Costa Rica are private/foreign owned ... like Citibank.

The Costa Rica economy has slowed down along with the rest of the world and some economists have declared Costa Rica to be experiencing its own recession. Yet Costa Rica's stability continues to; attract foreign companies in opening new facilities and to expand on existing operations, keep domestic and foreign driven construction projects online even as funding sources have become more conservative, maintain real estate values due to relatively consistent demand and attract foreigners for vacations, reduced-priced first-class medical treatments, relocations and retirement.

If these are all the traits of a 'developing' or 'third-world' country ... I am happy to be a part of it.

¡Pura Estabilidad!