NCPI inflation rises to 5.4% in May

Wednesday, 24 June 2026 00:21 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The National Consumer Price Index (NCPI)-based headline inflation accelerated to 5.4% year-on-year (YoY) in May 2026 from 4.7% in April, according to data released by the Department of Census and Statistics.

The latest reading marks the third consecutive monthly increase in inflation after headline inflation stood at 1.1% in February.

Food inflation rose to 1.5% in May from 1.1% in April, while non-food inflation increased to 8.6% from 7.8%.

Core inflation, which excludes food, energy and transport items, edged up to 4.5% in May from 4.4% in the previous month.

Of the 5.4% headline inflation rate, food items contributed 0.7 percentage points, while non-food items accounted for 4.7 percentage points.

Within the non-food category, price increases were recorded in transport, housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, restaurants and hotels, clothing and footwear, and household maintenance.

The increase in transport costs reflected higher petrol prices during the month, while housing and utility costs were affected by increases in LP gas prices.

Within the food category, prices increased for vegetables, fresh fish, onions, dried fish, milk powder and dairy products.

These increases were partially offset by lower prices for rice, coconuts, eggs, potatoes, sugar and coconut oil.

The latest inflation reading places headline inflation within the Central Bank’s medium-term target range, with inflation reaching 5.4% in May.