Thu, 3 Sep 2026 · LIVE
Updated Sep 3, 2026 · 17:10
World News Updated Sep 3, 2026

Pakistan's inflation returns to double digits at 11.1% in August

Pakistan's annual consumer price inflation climbed back to 11.1 percent in August 2026, reversing July's easing to 9.2 percent, according to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. Rural areas saw higher inflation at 12.2 percent compared to 10.4 percent in urban regions, with food and non-alcoholic beverage prices leading the surge at 13.89 percent year-on-year. The report suggests inflation will stay elevated near-term, with expectations of CPI remaining between 10 to 11 percent for August.

Pakistan's inflation back in double digits at 11.1 pc in August

New Delhi, Sep 3

Pakistan's annual consumer price inflation rose to 11.1 per cent in August 2026, returning to double digits after easing to 9.2 per cent in July, a report has said.

A report published in The Nation (Pakistan-based newspaper) -- citing the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) -- showed that the CPI inflation (urban) remained at 10.4 per cent on a year-on-year basis in the last month.

Meanwhile, the CPI inflation for rural areas has increased to 12.2 per cent in August 2026 and inflation measured by Sensitive Price Index (SPI) has increased by 10.72 per cent, it added.

In addition, Pakistan's Wholesale Price Indicator (WPI) based inflation has enhanced by 10.62 per cent.

Inflation had stood at 11.1 per cent in June, 11.7 per cent in May and 10.9 per cent in April before easing to 7.3 per cent in March.

On a month-on-month basis, CPI inflation remained unchanged at 1.2 per cent in August from July.

Food and non-alcoholic beverage prices rose 13.89 per cent year-on-year in August, while housing, water, electricity, gas and fuel costs increased 8.87 per cent.

Clothing and footwear prices rose 9.23 per cent, health costs 8.02 per cent and education charges 7.82 per cent.

Prices at restaurants and hotels increased 6.1 per cent, while furnishing and household equipment maintenance charges rose 7.08 per cent.

Moreover, prices of alcoholic beverages and tobacco increased around 3.2 per cent, the report said.

The Sensitive Price Indicator-based inflation rose 10.72 per cent, while Wholesale Price Index-based inflation increased 10.62 per cent in August.

"Inflation may remain somewhat elevated in the near term as recent price pressures and movements in international commodity and energy prices pass through to the domestic economy. For August 2026, CPI inflation is expected to remain in the range of 10 to 11 per cent," according to the report.

— IANS

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