Inflation Costa Rica 2012

Average inflation: 4.5%

Current Inflation

Inflation is high at 4.5%, well above the ECB target.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in November at 5.2%. The lowest inflation was in July at 3.9%.

Highest month
November: 5.2%
Lowest month
July: 3.9%
Difference
1.3 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 -0.6%.

Highest increase
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics: 19.7%
Lowest increase
Communication: -0.6%

Historical Context

Current inflation is 2.8% lower than the 5-year average of 7.3%. This approaches the lowest level since records began (4.5% in 2012).

5-year average
7.3%
10-year average
9.3%
All-time high (1995)
23.2%
All-time low (2012)
4.5%

Trend

Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 2011, inflation has fallen by +0.4 percentage point.

Change vs. previous year
-0.4 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
July: -1.3 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 2.5% above the ECB target of 2.0%. This means purchasing power is declining faster than intended.

Purchasing Power

At this inflation rate, purchasing power noticeably decreases. Without a salary increase, you can buy less with the same money.

What you could buy for €100 this year will cost approximately €104.50 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 2012

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
3.5%
-1.0vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
19.7%
+15.2vs avg.
More details →
Clothing and footwear
-0.2%
-4.7vs avg.
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Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
7.0%
+2.5vs avg.
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Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
3.4%
-1.1vs avg.
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Health
5.1%
+0.6vs avg.
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Transport
4.6%
+0.1vs avg.
More details →
Communication
-0.6%
-5.1vs avg.
More details →
Recreation and culture
1.4%
-3.1vs avg.
More details →
Education
7.7%
+3.2vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
5.8%
+1.3vs avg.
More details →
Miscellaneous goods and services
4.7%
+0.2vs avg.
More details →

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

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 2011
January 4.2% -0.6
February 4.1% -0.5
March 4.2% -0.4
April 4.7% 0.0
May 5.0% +0.2
June 4.6% -0.6
July 3.9% -1.3
August 4.2% -1.1
September 4.5% -0.7
October 4.7% -0.2
November 5.2% +0.6
December 4.6% -0.1
Average 4.5%

Data source

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

See also