The cumulative inflation rate in Costa Rica between 1978 and today has been 20,722.24%, meaning that prices are 208.2 times higher than they were in 1978. In practical terms, the purchasing power of ₡100 in 1978 is equivalent to ₡20,822.24 in today's colones. The average annual inflation rate over this period has been 12.03%.
The chart below shows how the value of ₡100 changes over time when adjusted for inflation, based on Consumer Price Index (CPI) data. All values are equivalent in terms of purchasing power, indicating how much money would be needed each year to buy the same goods or services.
All calculations are performed in Costa Rican colones with six-decimal precision, though displayed values are rounded to two decimals for readability. Inflation figures are sourced from official government and international reports released monthly. To convert historical amounts into today's colones, we use the most recent CPI data available and extrapolate it to estimate the CPI for today.
The following table contains relevant indicators:
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Cumulative inflation 1978-2024 | 20,933.28% |
| Cumulative inflation 1978-today | 20,722.24% |
| Avg. Annual inflation 1978-2024 | 12.33% |
| CPI 1978 | 0.56 |
| CPI 2024 | 117.78 |
| CPI 2025-10 (latest official data) | 116.64 |
| CPI today | 116.59 |
There are several ways to calculate the time value of money. Depending on the data available, results can be obtained by using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) formula or the compound interest formula.
When we have both the start and end years, we can use the following formula:
To obtain the values equivalent in buying power between 1978 and 2024, use the corresponding CPI values:
To obtain the equivalent value today (present value), plug in the CPI for today, which is estimated as 116.59:
Given that money changes with time as a result of an inflation rate that acts as compound interest, we can use the following formula: FV = PV × (1 + i)n, where:
In this case, the future value represents the final amount obtained after applying the inflation rate to our initial value. In other words, it indicates how much are ₡100 worth today. There are 46 years between 1978 and 2024 and the average inflation rate was 12.3306%. Therefore, we can resolve the formula like this:
| Initial Value | Equivalent value | |
|---|---|---|
| ₡1 colon in 1978 | → | ₡210.33 colones in 2024 |
| ₡5 colones in 1978 | → | ₡1,051.66 colones in 2024 |
| ₡10 colones in 1978 | → | ₡2,103.33 colones in 2024 |
| ₡50 colones in 1978 | → | ₡10,516.64 colones in 2024 |
| ₡100 colones in 1978 | → | ₡21,033.28 colones in 2024 |
| ₡500 colones in 1978 | → | ₡105,166.42 colones in 2024 |
| ₡1,000 colones in 1978 | → | ₡210,332.84 colones in 2024 |
| ₡5,000 colones in 1978 | → | ₡1,051,664.2 colones in 2024 |
| ₡10,000 colones in 1978 | → | ₡2,103,328.4 colones in 2024 |
| ₡50,000 colones in 1978 | → | ₡10,516,642 colones in 2024 |
| ₡100,000 colones in 1978 | → | ₡21,033,284.01 colones in 2024 |
| ₡500,000 colones in 1978 | → | ₡105,166,420.04 colones in 2024 |
| ₡1,000,000 colones in 1978 | → | ₡210,332,840.08 colones in 2024 |
| Cumulative inflation From 1978 | 20,722.24% |
| Avg. annual inflation From 1978 | 12.03% |
| CPI 1978 | 0.56 |
| CPI today | 116.59 |
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 1978 | 100 |
| 1979 | 109.19 |
| 1980 | 128.99 |
| 1981 | 176.79 |
| 1982 | 336.11 |
| 1983 | 445.77 |
| 1984 | 499.02 |
| 1985 | 574.16 |
| 1986 | 642.12 |
| 1987 | 750.26 |
| 1988 | 906.56 |
| 1989 | 1,056.24 |
| 1990 | 1,257.34 |
| 1991 | 1,618.31 |
| 1992 | 1,970.96 |
| 1993 | 2,163.69 |
| 1994 | 2,456.54 |
| 1995 | 3,026.13 |
| 1996 | 3,556.04 |
| 1997 | 4,027.15 |
| 1998 | 4,496.69 |
| 1999 | 4,948.39 |
| 2000 | 5,490.81 |
| 2001 | 6,108.84 |
| 2002 | 6,668.87 |
| 2003 | 7,298.91 |
| 2004 | 8,197.76 |
| 2005 | 9,328.91 |
| 2006 | 10,398.99 |
| 2007 | 11,372.05 |
| 2008 | 12,898.69 |
| 2009 | 13,910.29 |
| 2010 | 14,698 |
| 2011 | 15,414.97 |
| 2012 | 16,107.94 |
| 2013 | 16,950.6 |
| 2014 | 17,716.63 |
| 2015 | 17,858.72 |
| 2016 | 17,855.6 |
| 2017 | 18,145.9 |
| 2018 | 18,548.96 |
| 2019 | 18,937.74 |
| 2020 | 19,075.02 |
| 2021 | 19,404.35 |
| 2022 | 21,010.01 |
| 2023 | 21,120.35 |
| 2024 | 21,033.28 |
| 2025-10 | 20,829.78 |
| Today | 20,822.24 |
All available years
Today's value of Costa Rican colones by year:
1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
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