Ministry of National Planning and Economic Policy (Costa Rica)

The Ministry of National Planning and Economic Policy (MIDEPLAN; Spanish: Ministerio de Planificación Nacional y Política Económica), is a government ministry of the Republic of Costa Rica. It serves as the principal institution for national development planning, policy coordination, and evaluation of public strategies aimed at sustainable economic and social development. MIDEPLAN acts as an advisory and technical body to the Presidency of the Republic.[1] Current president, Laura Fernández Delgado, previously served as the minister of national planning and economic policy between 2022 to 2025. The current minister is Marta Eugenia Esquivel Rodríguez.[2][3]

History

Costa Rica's formal national planning process began in 1963 with the creation of the Office of National Planning (OFIPLAN) by Law No. 3087, establishing a body under the Presidency to coordinate state planning and improve administrative efficiency.[1][4]

In 1974, the National Planning Law (Law No. 5525) transformed OFIPLAN into the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Policy, expanding its mandate to include broader coordination, monitoring, and evaluation of government policies and strategies.[1][5][6]

Responsibility

MIDEPLAN is responsible for formulating, coordinating, monitoring, and evaluating national development strategies and priorities. Its main functions include:

  • Preparing the National Development Plan and monitoring its implementation.[7]
  • Coordinating planning activities across public institutions to ensure alignment with government objectives.[1]
  • Evaluating public policies, programs, and institutional performance to support decision-making.[1]
  • Maintaining development diagnostics and long-term national planning instruments.[7]
  • Promoting modernization, efficiency, and results-based management in public administration.[7]

The ministry also plays a central role in aligning public investment with national development priorities through the National Public Investment System.[1]

Organization

MIDEPLAN is headed by the minister of national planning and economic policy, who is appointed by the president of Costa Rica and serves as a member of the executive cabinet. The ministry is composed of vice-ministries, directorates, and technical units specializing in areas such as national planning, public investment, evaluation, and institutional development.[1][8]

The ministry coordinates the National Planning System, which integrates ministries, autonomous institutions, and decentralized agencies involved in planning and policy implementation.[8]

As a central planning body, MIDEPLAN does not directly execute large-scale projects but provides strategic direction and oversight to ensure coherence between national objectives, sectoral policies, and institutional plans. It works closely with the Ministry of Finance and other government entities to integrate planning, budgeting, and public investment processes.[1]

International cooperation

MIDEPLAN is responsible for coordinating aspects of Costa Rica's international development cooperation, including the registration and alignment of technical and financial cooperation initiatives with national development goals.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "¿Qué es MIDEPLAN?" (in Spanish). Ministerio de Planificación Nacional y Política Económica. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  2. ^ "Mideplan" (in Spanish). Ministerio de Planificación Nacional y Política Económica. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  3. ^ "Marta Eugenia Esquivel - The Business Year". 25 August 2025. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  4. ^ rpetersen (25 February 2023). "Regulations to The Law to Attract Investors and Retirees". CostaRicaLaw.com. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  5. ^ S-COM: Davinsson Nunjar Flores. "Sistema Costarricense de Información Jurídica". www.pgrweb.go.cr (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  6. ^ S-COM: Davinsson Nunjar Flores. "Sistema Costarricense de Información Jurídica". www.pgrweb.go.cr (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 13 November 2025. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  7. ^ a b c "Ministry of National Planning and Economic Policy (MIDEPLAN - Costa Rica) | Devex". www.devex.com. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  8. ^ a b "Organización" (in Spanish). Ministerio de Planificación Nacional y Política Económica. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  9. ^ "Costa Rica: Development Co-operation Profiles". OECD. 16 June 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
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