Venezuela ended 2025 with inflation at a staggering 475 percent.

Venezuela – (Web Desk) – Inflation in Venezuela jumped to 475 percent in 2025. That made it the highest rate in the world last year. The government’s own data showed this big rise in prices. This was much higher than what the IMF had expected.

Prices are still rising this year. In the first two months of 2026 they were about 52 percent higher. The central bank hadn’t shared inflation figures for more than a year before this.

Last year the U.S. tightened sanctions. That hurt the economy and pushed prices up even more.

In early January, Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro was removed from power. The United States then eased some sanctions. Both governments say they want to restore diplomatic ties and work together on Venezuela’s oil and minerals.

Many people still struggle. Prices for food, rent and health care are very high. Wages are low and often don’t pay for basic needs. Many people go from one store to another just to find affordable goods.

Some long‑time inflation memories are still strong. Years ago prices once rose by huge amounts, forcing people to wait in long lines for basic items.

Rodriguez stabilized the situation by introducing greater fiscal discipline, halting the printing of money, relaxing exchange controls and decriminalizing the use of the dollar, which has become Venezuela’s de facto currency.

Rodriguez, who was approved by Washington to replace Maduro, has embarked on an ambitious program of reforms since taking the reins.

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She has thrown open the vital oil sector to private investment and is also planning to overhaul the country’s mining laws to attract investment in critical minerals.

Tamara Herrera, director of the Sintesis Financiera consulting firm, said she expected inflation to fall to a little over 100 percent this year.

“Going forward, the inflation expectation is toward moderation,” economist Jesus Palacios said.