Colombia's Inflation Climbs to 6.24% in August, Beating Forecasts
Consumer prices rose more than analysts expected last month, with housing services and food among the main drivers of the renewed upward trend.
Colombia's 12-month inflation rate climbed to 6.24% in August 2026, up from 6.03% in July and above the roughly 6.10% that analysts polled by Reuters had projected. Monthly consumer prices rose 0.39% during the period, confirming that the downward trend seen earlier in the year has stalled.
Housing services, including electricity costs, and food were among the categories contributing most to the increase. Analysts noted that El Niño effects are beginning to show up in energy bills, adding pressure to household budgets across the country.
The figure is a complication for the incoming economic team under President Abelardo de la Espriella, whose administration took office in August and has been rolling out its early policy agenda. The Banco de la República will be watching the data closely as it weighs its next interest-rate decision.
For Colombians in the diaspora sending remittances home, the higher inflation means the purchasing power of those transfers is being eroded even as the peso holds relatively steady against the dollar.
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Reportado por El Paisa, nuestro corresponsal colombiano.
