Inflation Costa Rica 2019

Average inflation: 2.1%

Inflation in 2019

Inflation is normal at 2.1%, around the ECB target.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in July at 2.9%. The lowest inflation was in March at 1.4%.

Highest month
July: 2.9%
Lowest month
March: 1.4%
Difference
1.5 percentage points
Months with data
12 of 12

Category Insights

The highest price increase was in Health with an average of 4.4%. The lowest price increase was in Clothing and footwear with an average of -1.9%.

Highest increase
Health: 4.4%
Lowest increase
Clothing and footwear: -1.9%

Historical Context

Inflation is 0.8 percentage points higher than the 5-year average of 1.3%.

5-year average
1.3%
10-year average
3.1%
All-time high (2005)
13.8%
All-time low (2016)
0%

Trend

Over the period 2017-2019, inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 2018, inflation has fallen by 0.1 percentage points.

Change vs. previous year
-0.1 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
March: -1.2 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 102.10 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 2019

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
0.8%
-1.3 vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
3.7%
+1.6 vs avg.
More details →
Clothing and footwear
-1.9%
-4.0 vs avg.
More details →
Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
2.9%
+0.8 vs avg.
More details →
Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
2.5%
+0.4 vs avg.
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Health
4.4%
+2.3 vs avg.
More details →
Transport
2.5%
+0.4 vs avg.
More details →
Communication
-0.7%
-2.8 vs avg.
More details →
Recreation and culture
2.9%
+0.8 vs avg.
More details →
Education
4.0%
+1.9 vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
1.8%
-0.3 vs avg.
More details →
Miscellaneous goods and services
3.3%
+1.2 vs avg.
More details →

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

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 2018
January 1.7% -0.7
February 1.5% -0.7
March 1.4% -1.2
April 2.1% -0.3
May 2.3% +0.3
June 2.4% +0.3
July 2.9% +0.8
August 2.9% +0.7
September 2.5% +0.3
October 2.1% +0.1
November 1.9% -0.4
December 1.5% -0.5
Average 2.1%

Data source

Data from OECD. Last updated: 13/01/2026.

See also