01.09.202511:46:58UTC+00Pakistan Inflation Slows to Four-Month Low

In August, Pakistan experienced a slowdown in its annual inflation rate, which eased to 3.0%, marking the most subdued increase in four months. This decline followed a July figure of 4.1%. The moderation was primarily due to a deceleration in price inflation across various sectors. Clothing and footwear saw price increases ease to 8.1% from July's 8.4%, while the transport sector recorded a slight decrease to 2.5% from 2.7%. The inflation rates for alcoholic beverages and tobacco also slowed to 3.6% from 3.7%, and the health sector saw a minor decrease to 10.6% from 10.8%. Moreover, the rate for dining and lodging facilities dropped to 7.2% from 7.7%, and miscellaneous goods and services saw a reduction to 14.4% from 14.9%. Additionally, there was a notable 1.8% decline in the categories of food and non-alcoholic beverages in contrast to the previous month’s increase of 0.9%, and recreation and culture experienced a further reduction to -2.3% from -1.5%. Conversely, the costs for furnishing and household equipment maintenance saw a slight uptick to 3.5% from 3.3%, and the education sector saw an increase to 10.9% from 10.2%. The pricing for housing and utilities remained steady at 3.6%. On a month-to-month comparison, consumer prices in August fell by 0.6%, reversing the 2.9% rise observed in July.