Inflation Costa Rica 1981
Average inflation: 36.5%
Current Inflation
Inflation is very high at 36.5%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in December at 65.0%. The lowest inflation was in March at 21.2%.
- Highest month
- December: 65.0%
- Lowest month
- March: 21.2%
- Difference
- 43.8 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Historical Context
Current inflation is 21.7% higher than the 5-year average of 14.8%. This approaches the highest level since records began (36.5% in 1981).
- 5-year average
- 14.8%
- 10-year average
- 14.8%
- All-time high (1981)
- 36.5%
- All-time low (1977)
- 4.2%
Trend
Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 1980, inflation has risen by +18.4 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- +18.4 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- December: +47.2 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 34.5% 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 €100 this year will cost approximately €136.50 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 1981
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 1980 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 21.3% | +6.6 |
| February | 23.6% | +8.3 |
| March | 21.2% | +1.5 |
| April | 24.7% | +5.5 |
| May | 30.1% | +11.7 |
| June | 30.5% | +11.8 |
| July | 37.1% | +18.2 |
| August | 39.1% | +19.8 |
| September | 40.6% | +21.0 |
| October | 48.9% | +30.6 |
| November | 55.9% | +38.3 |
| December | 65.0% | +47.2 |
| Average | 36.5% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 20/12/2025.