pre_text: Note 23. Defined Benefit Pension Plan and Postretirement Benefits Defined Benefit Pension Plans The Company sponsors non-contributory defined benefit pension plans (the “Pension Plans”) for its covered employees in the Philippines. The Pension Plans provide defined benefits based on years of service and final salary. All permanent employees meeting the minimum service requirement are eligible to participate in the Pension Plans. As of December 31, 2019, the Pension Plans were unfunded. The Company expects to make no cash contributions to its Pension Plans during 2020. The following table provides a reconciliation of the change in the benefit obligation for the Pension Plans and the net amount recognized, included in “Other long-term liabilities,” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands):
table: December 31,
table: 2019 2018
table: Balance at the beginning of the period $3,282 $3,642
table: Service cost 405 448
table: Interest cost 254 196
table: Actuarial (gains) losses (108) (783)
table: Benefits paid (22) (32)
table: Effect of foreign currency translation 122 (189)
table: Balance at the end of the period $3,933 $3,282
table: Unfunded status (3,933) (3,282)
table: Net amount recognized $(3,933) $(3,282)
question: Analyse this data from a financial earnings document. What was the change in interest cost in 2019 from 2018?