Inflation Costa Rica 1999
Average inflation: 10.1%
Inflation in 1999
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
Inflation is 5.1 percentage points 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
Over the period 1997-1999, inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 1998, inflation has fallen by 1.6 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- -1.6 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- August: -5.2 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 8.1 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 110.10 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 1999
Inflation by category
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: 13/01/2026.