According to official statistics released on Tuesday, Pakistan’s headline inflation reached a historic high of 36.4% in April 2023.
This was an increase from 35.4% in the previous month and 13.4% in April 2022, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) General. On a month-on-month basis, inflation rose to 2.4% in April 2023, compared to 3.7% in the previous month and 1.6% in April 2022.
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CPI inflation in urban areas rose to 33.5% year-on-year (YoY) in April 2023, up from 33.0% in the previous month and 12.2% in April 2022. On a month-on-month basis, it increased to 2.0% in April 2023, compared to 3.9% in the previous month and 1.6% in April 2022.
In rural areas, CPI inflation increased to 40.7% YoY in April 2023, up from 38.9% in the previous month and 15.1% in April 2022. On a month-on-month basis, it rose to 3.0% in April 2023, compared to 3.5% in the previous month and 1.6% in April 2022.
The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) inflation on a YoY basis increased to 42.1% in April 2023, up from 40.4% in the previous month and 14.2% in April 2022. On a month-on-month basis, it rose by 2.7% in April 2023, compared to 5.8% in the previous month and 1.5% in April 2022.
The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation on a YoY basis increased to 32.8% in April 2023, compared to 37.5% in the previous month and 28.1% in April 2022. On a month-on-month basis, it decreased by 0.4% in April 2023, compared to an increase of 4.7% in the previous month and 3.2% in April 2022.
When measured by non-food non-energy urban areas, inflation increased to 19.5% YoY in April 2023, compared to 18.6% in the previous month and 9.1% in April 2022. On a month-on-month basis, it rose by 1.8% in April 2023, compared to 2.5% in the previous month and 1.1% in April 2022.
Similarly, when measured by non-food non-energy rural areas, inflation increased to 24.9% YoY in April 2023, compared to 23.1% in the previous month and 10.9% in April 2022. On a month-on-month basis, it rose by 2.7% in April 2023, compared to 2.4% in the previous month and 1.2% in April 2022.
Headline inflation in Pakistan to hit historic high at 36.5% in April 2023
Finally, when measured by a 20% weighted trimmed mean in urban areas, inflation increased to 28.6% YoY in April 2023, compared to 28.7% in the previous month 1.2% in April 2022. On a month-on-month basis, it rose by 1.5% in April 2023, compared to 2.7% in the previous month and 0.9% in April 202.
