Inflation Costa Rica 2003
Average inflation: 9.5%
Current Inflation
Inflation is very high at 9.5%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in April at 10.3%. The lowest inflation was in September at 8.4%.
- Highest month
- April: 10.3%
- Lowest month
- September: 8.4%
- Difference
- 1.9 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 16.3%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of 0.0%.
- Highest increase
- Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics: 16.3%
- Lowest increase
- Communication: 0.0%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 0.7% lower than the 5-year average of 10.2%. This approaches the lowest level since records began (9.2% in 2002).
- 5-year average
- 10.2%
- 10-year average
- 13%
- All-time high (1991)
- 28.8%
- All-time low (2002)
- 9.2%
Trend
Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 2002, inflation has fallen by +0.3 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- +0.3 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- April: +2.6 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 7.5% 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 €109.50 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2003
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2002 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 9.2% | -1.5 |
| February | 9.6% | -0.3 |
| March | 9.4% | +0.5 |
| April | 10.3% | +2.6 |
| May | 10.2% | +2.5 |
| June | 10.2% | +2.2 |
| July | 9.5% | +0.5 |
| August | 8.7% | -0.7 |
| September | 8.4% | -0.8 |
| October | 8.9% | -1.0 |
| November | 9.3% | -0.7 |
| December | 9.9% | +0.2 |
| Average | 9.5% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 11/01/2026.