El Salvador’s annual inflation rate increased to 3.60% in September 2026, up from 3.19% in August, marking the highest level since June 2023. Price gains accelerated in several categories, including food and non-alcoholic beverages (4.44% vs. 3.65%), furniture and household goods (2.12% vs. 1.90%), communications (9.63% vs. 8.23%), education (3.50% vs. 3.30%), restaurants and hotels (0.79% vs. 0%), and miscellaneous goods and services (2.23% vs. 2.14%).
In contrast, inflation eased for alcoholic beverages and tobacco (2.50% vs. 2.62%), clothing and footwear (2.50% vs. 2.62%), health (0.23% vs. 0.54%), and transport (2.89% vs. 2.91%). Meanwhile, deflation intensified in housing and utilities (-0.64% vs. -0.32%) and in recreation and culture (-0.93% vs. -0.91%).