Inflation Costa Rica 1999

Average inflation: 10.1%

Current Inflation

Inflation is very high at 10.1%, far above the ECB target.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in January at 12.6%. The lowest inflation was in August at 7.5%.

Highest month
January: 12.6%
Lowest month
August: 7.5%
Difference
5.1 percentage points
Months with data
12 of 12

Category Insights

The highest price increase was in Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics with an average of 19.7%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of 0.0%.

Highest increase
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics: 19.7%
Lowest increase
Communication: 0.0%

Historical Context

Current inflation is 5.1% lower than the 5-year average of 15.2%. This approaches the lowest level since records began (9.8% in 1993).

5-year average
15.2%
10-year average
16.9%
All-time high (1982)
89.4%
All-time low (1993)
9.8%

Trend

Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 1998, inflation has fallen by +1.6 percentage point.

Change vs. previous year
-1.6 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
August: -5.2 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 8.1% 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 €110.10 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 1999

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
9.0%
-1.1vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
19.7%
+9.6vs avg.
More details →
Clothing and footwear
7.0%
-3.1vs avg.
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Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
12.8%
+2.7vs avg.
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Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
11.0%
+0.9vs avg.
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Health
12.5%
+2.4vs avg.
More details →
Transport
9.4%
-0.7vs avg.
More details →
Communication
0.0%
-10.1vs avg.
More details →
Recreation and culture
4.3%
-5.8vs avg.
More details →
Education
15.6%
+5.5vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
11.3%
+1.3vs avg.
More details →
Miscellaneous goods and services
12.9%
+2.8vs avg.
More details →

Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 1998
January 12.6% +1.9
February 12.3% +1.2
March 10.7% -0.4
April 9.9% -0.6
May 10.0% -0.8
June 10.6% -0.2
July 9.1% -2.6
August 7.5% -5.2
September 8.7% -4.0
October 9.9% -3.0
November 9.5% -3.0
December 10.1% -2.3
Average 10.1%

Data source

Data from OECD. Last updated: 11/01/2026.

See also