Inflation Costa Rica 1997
Average inflation: 13.3%
Current Inflation
Inflation is very high at 13.3%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in April at 15.6%. The lowest inflation was in October at 10.7%.
- Highest month
- April: 15.6%
- Lowest month
- October: 10.7%
- Difference
- 4.9 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Transport with an average of 21.9%. The lowest price increase was in Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels with an average of 4.0%.
- Highest increase
- Transport: 21.9%
- Lowest increase
- Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels: 4.0%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 2.2% lower than the 5-year average of 15.5%.
- 5-year average
- 15.5%
- 10-year average
- 18.5%
- All-time high (1982)
- 89.4%
- All-time low (1978)
- 6%
Trend
Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 1996, inflation has fallen by +4.3 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- -4.3 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- June: -5.7 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 11.3% 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 €113.30 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 1997
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 1996 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 14.8% | -4.3 |
| February | 14.3% | -4.3 |
| March | 14.9% | -3.4 |
| April | 15.6% | -2.9 |
| May | 14.3% | -5.1 |
| June | 13.6% | -5.7 |
| July | 13.3% | -5.4 |
| August | 13.4% | -5.1 |
| September | 12.0% | -5.4 |
| October | 10.7% | -4.8 |
| November | 11.5% | -2.5 |
| December | 11.2% | -2.7 |
| Average | 13.3% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 13/01/2026.