Costa Rica Inflation Rate Swings to Deflation

2025-06-06 17:39 By Heloisa Zanati 1 min. read

The annual inflation rate in Costa Rica deflated by 0.12% in May 2025, down from a 0.37% increase in the previous month, marking the lowest level since November 2024.

Prices fell at a faster pace in transportation (-3.63% vs. -2.34% in April), communications (-3.75% vs. -3.73%) and furniture, appliances and services (-0.80% vs. -0.72%), while the price increases slowed for food away from home and accommodation services (1.38% vs. 1.75%) and restaurants and accommodation (1.60% vs. 2.07%).

On the other hand, the largest increases were observed in education (3.40% vs. 3.27%), while alcoholic beverages and tobacco (-0.63% vs. -0.86%) and clothing and footwear (-1.97% vs. -2.36%) showed slower price increases.

Prices rose in seven of the thirteen main product categories.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices fell by 0.40%.



News Stream
Costa Rica Inflation Rate at 2023-Lows
The annual inflation rate in Costa Rica dropped by 2.73% in February 2026, the lowest level since September 2023, after a drop in consumer prices of 2.54% in January. Deflationary pressures were mainly driven by food and non-alcoholic beverages (-8.3% versus -7.85%) and transport (-3.61% versus -2.64%). Meanwhile, price declines eased for housing and utilities (-0.44% versus -0.66%), furnishings (-1.74% versus -1.87%), recreation and culture (-0.21% versus -0.28%), and communication (-0.78% versus -1.01%). Deflation for clothing and footwear stood at -2.6%. On the other hand, price growth slowed slightly for education (2.95% versus 3.01%), accelerated for health (1.57% versus 1.44%) and alcoholic beverages and tobacco (1.04% versus 0.94%), and rebounded for restaurants and hotels (0.91% versus -0.19%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices declined by 0.22%, marking the fourth consecutive year with price declines in February and easing from a decline of 0.96% in the previous month.
2026-03-06
Costa Rica Sees Deflation in December
Costa Rica’s CPI fell 0.99% in December 2025, reversing a 0.13% increase in November. Prices declined across most categories, led by transport (-3.02%), clothing and footwear (-2.42%), furniture and household articles (-1.52%), information and communication (-1.53%), and food and non-alcoholic beverages (-0.76%). By contrast, prices rose for education (4.12%), miscellaneous goods and services (1.64%), and healthcare (1.21%). On a monthly basis, inflation eased to 0.10% from 0.47% in November.
2026-01-08
Costa Rica CPI Falls for 7th Month
Costa Rica’s consumer prices fell 0.38% year-on-year in November 2025, matching October and marking a seventh consecutive month of deflation. Declines were seen in food and non-alcoholic beverages (-0.76%), clothing and footwear (-2.42%), furniture and household items (-1.52%), transport (-3.02%), and information and communication (-1.53%). Meanwhile, notable increases were recorded in education (4.12%), diverse goods and services (1.64%), healthcare (1.21%), rent and utilities (1.13%), and recreation, sports and culture (1.12%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.47%, accelerating from 0.19% in October.
2025-12-08