Inflation Costa Rica 1979
Average inflation: 9.1%
Inflation in 1979
Inflation is very high at 9.1%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in November at 13.3%. The lowest inflation was in May at 7.0%.
- Highest month
- November: 13.3%
- Lowest month
- May: 7.0%
- Difference
- 6.3 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Historical Context
Inflation is 2.7 percentage points higher than the 5-year average of 6.4%. This approaches the highest level since records began (9.1% in 1979).
- 5-year average
- 6.4%
- 10-year average
- 6.4%
- All-time high (1979)
- 9.1%
- All-time low (1977)
- 4.2%
Trend
Over the period 1977-1979, inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 1978, inflation has risen by 3.1 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- +3.1 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- November: +6.0 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 7.1 percentage points above the ECB target of 2.0%. This means purchasing power is declining faster than intended.
Purchasing Power
At this high inflation rate, purchasing power rapidly decreases. This has a major impact on households, especially without adequate salary increases.
What you could buy for CRC 100 this year will cost approximately CRC 109.10 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 1979
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 1978 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 7.7% | +2.1 |
| February | 7.9% | +2.7 |
| March | 7.7% | +3.1 |
| April | 7.2% | +2.7 |
| May | 7.0% | +1.3 |
| June | 8.0% | +2.4 |
| July | 8.6% | +3.0 |
| August | 9.0% | +3.6 |
| September | 9.1% | +2.2 |
| October | 11.1% | +3.8 |
| November | 13.3% | +6.0 |
| December | 13.1% | +4.9 |
| Average | 9.1% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 20/12/2025.