WILLEMSTAD – Consumer prices in Curaçao continued to rise in April 2026, pushing annual inflation to 1.6 percent, according to new figures released by the Central Bureau of Statistics.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased from 105.1 in March to 105.7 in April, representing a monthly increase of 0.6 percent. The data indicate that the cost of living on the island remains on an upward trend, although inflation remains relatively moderate compared to previous years.
The largest price increases during April were recorded in the categories of Transport and Communication and Housing, both of which rose by 1.3 percent. Healthcare costs increased by 0.4 percent, while Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco rose by 0.2 percent. Food prices also increased, albeit modestly, by 0.1 percent.
Only one spending category recorded a decline during the month. Household Furnishings and Equipment became 0.1 percent cheaper, while all other categories remained unchanged.
The inflation rate of 1.6 percent is calculated by comparing the average CPI over the 12 months ending in April 2026 with the same period a year earlier. According to the statistics office, the 12-month average CPI increased from 103.4 in April 2025 to 105.1 in April 2026.
Inflation is widely used as a benchmark for adjusting salaries, pensions, social benefits, and minimum wages because it reflects changes in the overall cost of living and purchasing power.
While the increase remains modest, the continued rise in transportation, housing, and healthcare costs could place additional pressure on household budgets, particularly for lower-income families already coping with higher living expenses.