Inflation was 9.02% in the 2000, due primarily to increases in petroleum prices, according to the Central Bank. This is the highest inflation recorded in the past five years. Hoy newspaper reports that inflation in past years has been: 1999, 5.10%; 1998, 8.20%; 1997, 8.37%; 1996, 3.95%; 1995, 9.22%.
