In 2026, the ethnic composition of Costa Rica is often described as a blend of European and Mestizo (mixed European and Indigenous) ancestry, making it one of the most homogeneous populations in Central America. According to current census data, approximately 84% of the population identifies as "White or Mestizo." Because the lines between these categories are often fluid in Costa Rican society, they are frequently grouped together in demographic reports. This cultural and ethnic makeup is largely a result of the colonial era, where a lack of a large indigenous labor force led to more direct European settlement from Spain. However, Costa Rica is far from a monolith; the country features a vibrant Afro-Costa Rican community (roughly 8% identifying as Black or Mulatto) primarily on the Caribbean coast, as well as several distinct indigenous groups who have inhabited the region for thousands of years.