URGENT: Egypt’s annual inflation eases in Jan.

Egypt’s annual inflation rate for January 2025 eased to 23.2 per cent in January 2025, down from 23.4 per cent in December 2024, as consumer prices recorded a general index of 243.5 points, according to data from the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS). Monthly inflation stood at 1.6 per cent, the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS) reported on Monday.

The decline was mainly driven by a 2.6 per cent drop in vegetable prices, despite increases in key categories such as poultry (5.0 per cent), dairy and eggs (0.3 per cent), and transport services (0.5 per cent), among others.

Monthly Price Changes

Food and beverage prices rose by 2.1 per cent on a monthly basis, with bread and cereals increasing by 1.3 per cent, poultry and meat by 5.0 per cent, oils and fats by 0.7 per cent, and fruit by 9.8 per cent. Meanwhile, and restaurant and hotel services rose by 1.1 per cent, among others.

Annual Inflation (Jan 2025 compared to Jan 2024)

On an annual basis, food prices climbed by 20.2 per cent, with fruit soaring 50.0 per cent, meat and poultry rising 22.3 per cent,  and fish and seafood up 18.0 per cent. Vegetable prices grew by 10.5 per cent, while oils and fats rose 20.8 per cent.

Healthcare services recorded a sharp 40.5 per cent increase, with medical equipment surging by 58.7 per cent. Communication services saw a 94.3 per cent jump due to higher postal charges, while transport costs climbed 33.6 per cent, driven by a 27.8 per cent increase in private transport expenses and a 39.0 per cent rise in transport services.

Furniture and household equipment prices increased by 21.5 per cent, education services rose by 12.3 per cent, and hotel services recorded a 29.0 per cent increase.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: M. S. Salama