Inflation Costa Rica 2009
Average inflation: 8.0%
Inflation in 2009
Inflation is very high at 8.0%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in January at 13.5%. The lowest inflation was in November at 2.6%.
- Highest month
- January: 13.5%
- Lowest month
- November: 2.6%
- Difference
- 10.9 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 16.8%. The lowest price increase was in Transport with an average of -1.5%.
- Highest increase
- Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels: 16.8%
- Lowest increase
- Transport: -1.5%
Historical Context
Inflation is 3.2 percentage points lower than the 5-year average of 11.2%. This approaches the lowest level since records began (8.0% in 2009).
- 5-year average
- 11.2%
- 10-year average
- 10.9%
- All-time high (1991)
- 28.8%
- All-time low (2009)
- 8%
Trend
Over the period 2007-2009, inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 2008, inflation has fallen by 5.4 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- -5.4 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- November: -13.7 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 6.0 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 108 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2009
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2008 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 13.5% | +2.9 |
| February | 12.7% | +1.3 |
| March | 12.3% | +1.3 |
| April | 11.8% | +0.9 |
| May | 9.5% | -2.4 |
| June | 8.2% | -4.6 |
| July | 6.9% | -7.3 |
| August | 5.7% | -9.7 |
| September | 4.8% | -11.0 |
| October | 4.0% | -12.3 |
| November | 2.6% | -13.7 |
| December | 4.0% | -9.9 |
| Average | 8.0% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 13/01/2026.