Colombia Inflation Rises to 4.9% in July, Beating Forecasts

Colombia’s annual inflation rate rose to 5.29% in February 2026 from 5.35% in January and less than the expected 5.49%. The increase followed a brief moderation in inflation, with price growth remaining well above the central bank’s 3% target. Inflation accelerated notably in food and non-alcoholic beverages (5.84% vs. 5.11% in January), furnishings (4.73% vs. 4.12%), and healthcare (7.82% vs. 7.38%). In contrast, price pressures eased in housing (3.85% vs. 4.59%), clothing (2.61% vs. 2.45%), recreation and culture (1.68% vs. 2.54%), and transport (5.27% vs. 5.79%). Inflation also picked up in information and communication, restaurants and hotels, and miscellaneous goods and services, while education inflation was unchanged at 7.44%. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 1.08% in February, sharply accelerating from a 1.18% increase in January.

Colombia’s annual inflation rate rose to 5.35% in January 2026 from 5.10% in December. The increase followed a brief moderation in inflation, with price growth remaining well above the central bank’s 3% target. Inflation accelerated notably in food and non-alcoholic beverages (5.11% vs. 5.07%), housing (4.59% vs. 4.76%), and furnishings (4.12% vs. 3.31%). In contrast, price pressures eased in healthcare (7.38% vs. 7.20%), clothing (2.45% vs. 2.12%), recreation and culture (2.54% vs. 1.85%), and transport (5.79% vs. 5.35%). Inflation also picked up in information and communication, restaurants and hotels, and miscellaneous goods and services, while education inflation was unchanged at 7.36%. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 1.18% in January, sharply accelerating from a 0.27% increase in December.

Colombia’s annual inflation rate eased to 5.10% in December 2025 from 5.30% in November, coming in below market expectations of 5.20%. The slowdown followed four consecutive months of rising inflation, though price growth remained well above the central bank’s 3% target. Inflation moderated notably in food and non-alcoholic beverages (5.07% vs. 5.74%), housing (4.76% vs. 5.29%), and furnishings (3.31% vs. 3.50%). In contrast, price pressures accelerated in healthcare (7.20% vs. 6.88%), clothing (2.12% vs. 2.00%), recreation and culture (1.85% vs. 0.57%), and transport (5.35% vs. 5.33%). Inflation also picked up in information and communication, restaurants and hotels, and miscellaneous goods and services, while education inflation was unchanged at 7.36%. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.27%, up from a 0.07% increase in November but below forecasts for a 0.38% gain.