Colombia's March inflation closes at 5.56% per Dane

Dane reported that Colombia's annual inflation for March 2026 reached 5.56%, up from 5.29% in February. This is the highest rate since September 2024 at 5.81%. Year-to-date inflation for the first quarter stood at 3.07%.

The National Administrative Department of Statistics (Dane) released March inflation data, which accelerated to 5.56% year-over-year, from 5.29% in February and 5.35% in January.

"Year-to-date, that is, for the first quarter of the year it reached 3.07%, above the 2.62% we reported in the first quarter of last year," said Piedad Urdinola, director of Dane.

Divisions with the highest increases were restaurants and hotels (9.92%), health (7.87%), education (7.54%), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (6.75%), non-alcoholic food and beverages (6.27%), and various goods and services (6.09%). Key contributors to the index were meals at table service and self-service establishments (0.75 percentage points), imputed rent (0.61 pp), and urban transport (0.52 pp).

By city, Pereira had the highest at 6.48%, followed by Medellín (5.98%) and Manizales (5.90%). The lowest were Santa Marta (3.58%), Valledupar (3.65%), and Riohacha (3.69%). Financial market expectations pointed to 5.45%, per 25 entities.

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Illustration showing Colombia's February 2026 inflation at 5.29%, with easing trend chart, food and education price symbols, and Central Bank target.
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Colombia's inflation eases to 5.29% in February 2026

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The National Administrative Department of Statistics (Dane) reported that Colombia's annual inflation for February 2026 was 5.29%, a slight slowdown from January's 5.35%. The monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) variation stood at 1.08%, driven by rises in education and food. This figure remains above the Central Bank's target range of 3%.

Dane reported the consumer price index recorded an annual variation of 5.68% in April, above March's 5.56%.

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Colombia recorded an annual inflation rate of 5.3% in February 2026, ranking second among OECD countries, behind only Turkey at 31.5%. The figure exceeds the OECD average of 3.4%.

Anif warned that the arrival of the El Niño phenomenon in the second half of the year could push inflation in Colombia close to 7%. The think tank pointed to pressures on food and energy as main factors.

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DANE reported a 10.9% unemployment rate for January 2026, the lowest in recent history for a first month of the year, despite a 23% minimum wage increase. Informality dropped to 55%, and the employed population grew by 324,000 people. Yet, these official figures are sparking political polarization.

In January 2026, Colombia's unemployment rate stood at 10.9%, the lowest for a first month since 2001, according to the Dane. While 324,000 new jobs were created, 60% were self-employment positions. This indicates employment improvement, but raises concerns about job quality.

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The Dane reported that Colombia's GDP rose 2.2% in the first quarter of 2026, below the 2.5% recorded a year earlier. Growth was driven mainly by public spending and household consumption, while sectors such as construction and agriculture posted declines.

 

 

 

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