El Salvador Inflation Rate at Highest Since 2023

Consumer prices in El Salvador rose 2.2% year-over-year in April 2026, the highest reading since October 2023, accelerating from 1.47% in March. Prices increased at a faster pace for food and non-alcoholic beverages (3.0% vs 2.7%), housing and utilities (1.1% vs 0.7%), healthcare (2.6% vs 2.5%), and recreation and culture (1.1% vs 0.0%). Transport prices rebounded by 3.3% after a 0.9% decline in March, while deflation for clothing and footwear eased slightly (-0.05% vs -0.2%). In contrast, prices for communication services fell further (-0.7% vs -0.3%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.7% in April, following a 0.4% increase in the previous month.

Consumer prices in El Salvador rose 1.47% year over year in March 2026, the most since July 2024, up from 1.17% in February, extending the upward inflation trend. The increase was led by food and non-alcoholic beverages (2.66% vs. 1.38% in February), restaurants and hotels (4.18% vs. 3.96%), and healthcare (2.54% vs. 2.41%). Transportation deflation moderated (-0.88% vs. -0.92%), while household goods swung back to a decline (-0.56% vs. 0.17%). Meanwhile, prices fell at a slower rate for communications (-0.27% vs. -0.53%) and clothing and footwear (-0.20% vs. -0.34%), while housing and utilities slowed sharply (0.66% vs. 1.34%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.44% in March, slightly lower than 0.46% in the previous month

Consumer prices in El Salvador rose 1.17% year over year in February 2026, up from 0.65% in January, reversing the previous disinflation trend. The increase was led by food by accelerated inflation( 1.38% vs. 0.89% in January), restaurants and hotels (3.96% vs. 3.95%), healthcare (2.41% vs. 2.26%), and housing and utilities (1.34% vs. 1.16%), while household goods swung to increases ( 0.17% vs. -0.13%). Meanwhile, prices fell at a softer rate for transport (-0.92% vs. -3.27%), clothing and footwear (-0.34% vs. -0.49%) and communications (-0.53% vs. -0.53%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.46% in February from a softer 0.08% in the previous month.