Inflation Costa Rica 2004
Average inflation: 12.3%
Inflation in 2004
Inflation is very high at 12.3%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in September at 13.8%. The lowest inflation was in January at 11.0%.
- Highest month
- September: 13.8%
- Lowest month
- January: 11.0%
- Difference
- 2.8 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels with an average of 16.9%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of 2.5%.
- Highest increase
- Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels: 16.9%
- Lowest increase
- Communication: 2.5%
Historical Context
Inflation is 1.6 percentage points higher than the 5-year average of 10.7%.
- 5-year average
- 10.7%
- 10-year average
- 12.9%
- All-time high (1991)
- 28.8%
- All-time low (2002)
- 9.2%
Trend
Over the period 2002-2004, inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 2003, inflation has risen by 2.8 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- +2.8 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- September: +5.4 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 10.3 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 112.30 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2004
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2003 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 11.0% | +1.8 |
| February | 11.5% | +1.9 |
| March | 11.3% | +1.9 |
| April | 11.3% | +1.0 |
| May | 11.4% | +1.2 |
| June | 11.9% | +1.7 |
| July | 12.4% | +2.9 |
| August | 13.1% | +4.4 |
| September | 13.8% | +5.4 |
| October | 13.3% | +4.4 |
| November | 13.3% | +4.0 |
| December | 13.1% | +3.2 |
| Average | 12.3% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 13/01/2026.