Dominican Annual Inflation Eases Slightly in March

The annual inflation rate in the Dominican Republic eased slightly to 4.63% in March 2026 from 4.67% in February, the lowest since October and still within the central bank’s 4.0% ±1.0% target, marking 35 straight months of alignment. Food and alcoholic beverages rose more slowly at 6.9% versus 7.2% in February, while communications turned to deflation at -1.2% from 0.4%, and clothing and footwear continued to fall, though at a slower pace (-1.3% vs -1.5%). Housing and utilities edged up 1.8% from 1.7%, and transport costs rose 3.1% following a 2.8% increase in the previous month. On a monthly basis, inflation accelerated to 0.27% from 0.03% in February.

The annual inflation rate in the Dominican Republic eased to 4.67% in February 2026, down from 4.98% in January. Inflation remains within the monetary program’s target range of 4.0% plus or minus 1.0%, marking 34 consecutive months of alignment with the target since May 2023. Food prices rose at a slower pace, increasing 7.16% after a 8.03% rise in January. Transport prices increased 2.76%, following a 3.46% rise. Communication inflation slowed to 0.42% from 0.61%, while recreation and culture eased to 1.99% from 2.39%. Deflation deepened in clothing and footwear, falling 1.46% after a 1.43% increase in the prior month.

The annual inflation rate in the Dominican Republic rose for the sixth consecutive month to 4.98% in January 2026, marking its highest level since April 2023 and edging up from 4.95% in December 2025. The increase was primarily driven by stronger price growth in transport (3.46% versus 3.45%), restaurants and hotels (6.97% versus 6.52%), health (5.12% versus 5.10%), and education (7.17% versus 5.83%). Meanwhile, inflationary pressures eased in several categories, including food and non-alcoholic beverages (8.03% versus 8.19%), housing and utilities (2.44% versus 2.47%), furnishings and household equipment (1.76% vs. 1.84%), recreation and culture (2.39% versus 2.71%), communication (0.61% versus 0.79%), and alcoholic beverages and tobacco (5.05% versus 5.11%). In contrast, deflation in clothing and footwear slightly deepened to -1.43% from -1.42%. On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased by 0.4%, slowing from 0.84% in the previous month.