New Year Kicks Off With 0.95% Inflation

Costa Rica started off 2007 with 0.95% inflation during January, down from the 1.17% inflation registered during the first month of last year, according to a statement from the National Statistics and Census Institute (INEC).

This marks the second-lowest inflation registered in January during the past decade; 2003 saw the lowest inflation at 0.65%. Among the goods and services that saw the most inflation last month were foods and beverages, health-care services, home goods, education and entertainment.

Last year, inflation in Costa Rica registered 9.43%. The Central Bank hopes to close out this year with less than 8% inflation.