Inflation Costa Rica 1996
Average inflation: 17.6%
Current Inflation
Inflation is very high at 17.6%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in May at 19.4%. The lowest inflation was in December at 13.9%.
- Highest month
- May: 19.4%
- Lowest month
- December: 13.9%
- Difference
- 5.5 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Transport with an average of 25.3%. The lowest price increase was in Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels with an average of 11.1%.
- Highest increase
- Transport: 25.3%
- Lowest increase
- Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels: 11.1%
Historical Context
Current inflation is around the 5-year average of 17.2%.
- 5-year average
- 17.2%
- 10-year average
- 18.8%
- All-time high (1982)
- 89.4%
- All-time low (1977)
- 4.2%
Trend
Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 1995, inflation has risen by -5.6 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- -5.6 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- November: -10.9 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 15.6% 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 €117.60 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 1996
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 1995 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 19.1% | -4.7 |
| February | 18.6% | -5.5 |
| March | 18.3% | -5.3 |
| April | 18.5% | -4.6 |
| May | 19.4% | -3.1 |
| June | 19.3% | -3.0 |
| July | 18.7% | -4.5 |
| August | 18.5% | -3.9 |
| September | 17.4% | -4.6 |
| October | 15.5% | -8.4 |
| November | 14.0% | -10.9 |
| December | 13.9% | -8.7 |
| Average | 17.6% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 11/01/2026.