This year has already become the year with highest number of homicides in the history of Costa Rica. 2016 ended with 578 violent deaths, but this year the figure is already 582. This means that there have already been four more homicides than in 2016, making 2017 the most violent year in the country.
The rate reaches 12 homicides per 100 thousand inhabitants. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) if the figure exceeds 10 homicides per 100 thousand inhabitants is considered epidemic.
The provinces with the highest incidence this year are San José (214 homicides), Limón (110) and Alajuela (90). The cantons that lead the list are downtown San José (86), downtown Limón (36), Guápiles (35) and downtown Alajuela (33).