JEDDAH: Egypt’s consumer prices rose 0.2 percent in August, reversing July’s drop, as higher food, tobacco, housing and healthcare costs outweighed declines in meat, fruits and sugar.
The headline consumer price index reached 257.1 points, up from 256.6 in July, according to the latest data from the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics, or CAPMAS.
Annual inflation slowed to 11.2 percent from 13.1 percent a month earlier.
The rise in Egypt’s CPI comes amid ongoing efforts to stabilize the economy following a series of external shocks, including regional conflicts and Red Sea trade disruptions, according to a July report by the International Monetary Fund.
It noted that while inflation has eased since September 2023, it remains a key policy challenge due to its heavy impact on purchasing power.
Food and beverages rose 0.1 percent on the month, led by dairy, cheese and eggs up 0.8 percent, mineral water and juices up 0.8 percent, and oils, fats, coffee and grains each up 0.1 percent.
Prices declined for meat and poultry by 1.3 percent, fish and seafood by 0.5 percent, fruits by 0.5 percent and sugar by 0.4 percent.
Outside food, tobacco climbed 1 percent on higher cigarette prices, while clothing and footwear gained 0.9 percent. Housing, water, electricity, gas and fuel advanced 0.5 percent, driven by a 0.9 percent increase in actual rents.
Household equipment and maintenance rose 1 percent, supported by appliances up 1.4 percent and maintenance goods up 1.1 percent.
Healthcare increased 0.8 percent on the back of hospital services rising 2.8 percent, while transport slipped 0.3 percent as services declined 0.8 percent. Restaurants and hotels gained 0.4 percent, and miscellaneous goods and services added 0.4 percent.
On an annual basis, healthcare costs surged 34.2 percent, housing rose 20.1 percent, tobacco 24.6 percent and transport 21.4 percent. Food and beverages increased 1.3 percent, underscoring divergent price pressures across Egypt’s consumption basket.
With external financing stabilized through IMF support and ongoing reforms, Egyptian authorities are aiming to balance fiscal consolidation with measures to shield vulnerable groups from inflation shocks.
