Costa Rica stands out in the region for its political and economic stability. In 1949, the country dissolved its armed forces and adopted a new Constitution. The Constitution fostered broad-based access to education and healthcare, a robust system of checks and balances, and a strong rule of law. Sound mechanisms to oversee state action as well as to protect and guarantee human and democratic rights were progressively installed. Relatively stable, long-term economic growth has allowed for important investments in basic social services, while a good endowment of human capital and natural amenities has further contributed to socio-economic progress. The average life expectancy at birth of Costa Ricans is significantly higher than in other Latin American countries and Costa Rica made important progress on the Human Development Index.