El Salvador’s annual inflation rate rose to 3.19% in August 2026 from 2.49% in July, reaching its highest level since July 2023. Price growth accelerated for food and non-alcoholic beverages, alcoholic beverages and tobacco, health, transport, communications, miscellaneous goods and services, and clothing and footwear. Communications recorded the sharpest increase among the listed categories, at 8.23% compared with 4.95% in July. Inflation eased in education, while housing and utilities and recreation and culture remained in deflation. Furniture and household goods held steady at 1.90%, and restaurant and hotel prices were unchanged at a flat inflation reading.