Inflation Costa Rica 2021
Average inflation: 1.7%
Inflation in 2021
Inflation is low at 1.7%, below the ECB target of 2%.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in November at 3.3%. The lowest inflation was in February at 0.4%.
- Highest month
- November: 3.3%
- Lowest month
- February: 0.4%
- Difference
- 2.9 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Transport with an average of 9.3%. The lowest price increase was in Clothing and footwear with an average of -2.4%.
- Highest increase
- Transport: 9.3%
- Lowest increase
- Clothing and footwear: -2.4%
Historical Context
Inflation is around the 5-year average of 1.7%.
- 5-year average
- 1.7%
- 10-year average
- 2.3%
- All-time high (2005)
- 13.8%
- All-time low (2016)
- 0%
Trend
Over the period 2019-2021, inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 2020, inflation has risen by 1.0 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- +1.0 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- November: +3.1 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 0.3 percentage points below the ECB target of 2.0%. Too low inflation may indicate economic weakness.
Purchasing Power
At this inflation rate, purchasing power gradually decreases. The impact on daily expenses is relatively limited.
What you could buy for CRC 100 this year will cost approximately CRC 101.70 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2021
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1.0% | -0.6 |
| February | 0.4% | -1.4 |
| March | 0.5% | -1.4 |
| April | 1.2% | +0.3 |
| May | 1.3% | +0.7 |
| June | 1.9% | +1.6 |
| July | 1.4% | +1.6 |
| August | 1.7% | +1.8 |
| September | 2.1% | +1.8 |
| October | 2.5% | +2.0 |
| November | 3.3% | +3.1 |
| December | 3.3% | +2.4 |
| Average | 1.7% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 13/01/2026.