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El Salvador’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 0.45% in september 2026 compared to august, moving from 134.99 to 135.60, according to data from the Banco Central de Reserva (BCR). Among the divisions that recorded increases, transport showed the largest monthly variation at 1.37%, followed by education at 0.79%; food and non-alcoholic beverages at 0.70%; and housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels at 0.36%.
Transport led the increases, moving from an index of 119.27 in august to 120.91 in september, representing a 1.37% rise. Education ranked second, with its index climbing from 117.07 to 118.00, equivalent to a 0.79% variation for the period.
Meanwhile, food and non-alcoholic beverages recorded a 0.70% increase, rising from 161.51 to 162.64. This division ranked third among the largest monthly increases. Next was housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, with a 0.36% increase, rising from 151.65 in august to 152.19 in september.
Other divisions also showed increases, albeit more moderate ones. Restaurants and hotels rose 0.25%, moving from 170.19 to 170.61; alcoholic beverages and tobacco increased 0.18%, from 180.19 to 180.51; Health recorded a variation of 0.08%, rising from 118.34 to 118.44, while furniture and household goods increased by 0.07%, moving from 112.42 to 112.50.
Meanwhile, miscellaneous goods and services showed a 0.02% increase, rising from 131.95 in august to 131.97 in september. Communications was the only division that recorded no monthly variation, maintaining its index at 79.60 during both months, equivalent to a change of 0.00%.
In contrast, two divisions recorded decreases between august and september. Clothing and footwear showed the largest drop, with a variation of -0.25%, falling from 99.78 to 99.53. Recreation and culture also declined, falling by 0.23% as its index dropped from 97.10 to 96.88.
Year-on-year comparison
Comparing september 2026 with the same month in 2025, the overall CPI rose from 130.89 to 135.60, representing an increase of 3.60%. This result indicates that the general price level recorded in september 2026 was higher than that of the previous year.
Overall, the CPI increased by 0.45% between august and september 2026, while the variation between september 2025 and september 2026 was 3.60%, according to data from the BCR.
