Inflation Costa Rica 2018
Average inflation: 2.2%
Inflation in 2018
Inflation is normal at 2.2%, around the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in March at 2.6%. The lowest inflation was in May at 2.0%.
- Highest month
- March: 2.6%
- Lowest month
- May: 2.0%
- Difference
- 0.6 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Transport with an average of 5.6%. The lowest price increase was in Clothing and footwear with an average of -3.3%.
- Highest increase
- Transport: 5.6%
- Lowest increase
- Clothing and footwear: -3.3%
Historical Context
Inflation is around the 5-year average of 1.8%.
- 5-year average
- 1.8%
- 10-year average
- 3.7%
- All-time high (2005)
- 13.8%
- All-time low (2016)
- 0%
Trend
Over the period 2016-2018, inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 2017, inflation has risen by 0.6 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- +0.6 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- January: +1.7 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is close to the ECB target of 2.0%.
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 CRC 100 this year will cost approximately CRC 102.20 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2018
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2.4% | +1.7 |
| February | 2.2% | +1.1 |
| March | 2.6% | +1.0 |
| April | 2.4% | +0.8 |
| May | 2.0% | +0.3 |
| June | 2.1% | +0.3 |
| July | 2.1% | +0.9 |
| August | 2.2% | +1.3 |
| September | 2.2% | +0.6 |
| October | 2.0% | -0.3 |
| November | 2.3% | -0.2 |
| December | 2.0% | -0.6 |
| Average | 2.2% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 13/01/2026.