Costa Rica starts 2026 with a high-impact economic news: the Consumer Price Index, The CPI, known as IPC, recorded a monthly decrease of -0.96% in January, the largest drop since 1983.
With this result, year-over-year inflation stood at -2.53%, reflecting an overall reduction in the cost of living for Costa Rican households.
Among the sectors that most influenced this decline were food and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as rent and housing services, two key items in the family budget.
In addition, almost half of the country's goods and services fell in price, especially electricity, eggs and tourist packages abroad. In contrast, some products such as water supply, university education and onions showed increases.
In total, seven of the thirteen divisions that make up the index presented decreases in their prices, consolidating a start of the year with negative inflationary pressure.
A historical behavior of the CPI that directly impacts the pockets of Costa Ricans and marks a trend that will now be key to follow in the coming months.
This is a news service prepared by ICS. For more information about the story, write to info@ics.cr or call 2519-9992 ICS, tax specialists.