CPI rises from 10.9% in April as food, energy and transport costs keep pressure on households
Pakistan’s headline inflation rose to 11.7% in May 2026, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Monday, reflecting persistent price pressures across food, energy and transport segments.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased from 10.9% in April 2026 and 3.5% in May 2025, indicating a sharp year-on-year rise in overall prices.
On a month-on-month basis, CPI inflation rose by 0.5% in May 2026, compared with a 2.5% increase in the previous month and a 0.2% decline in May 2025.
Urban inflation stood at 11.8% year-on-year, up from 11.1% in April and 3.5% a year earlier. Monthly urban inflation increased by 0.7%, reflecting continued pressure on city-based consumers.
Rural inflation was recorded at 11.5% year-on-year, compared with 10.6% in April and 3.4% in May 2025, while monthly rural prices rose by 0.3%.
The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), which tracks weekly changes in essential goods, increased by 12.0% year-on-year in May 2026, up from 10.1% in April, while rising 0.7% on a monthly basis.
The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation stood at 12.7% year-on-year, slightly lower than 13.6% in April but significantly higher than 0.4% in May 2025. On a monthly basis, WPI declined by 0.8%, indicating some easing at the wholesale level.
Core inflation indicators showed persistent underlying pressures. Urban non-food non-energy (NFNE) inflation rose by 9.0% year-on-year, while rural NFNE inflation increased by 8.4%.
On a trimmed basis, urban core inflation reached 9.8% year-on-year and rural core inflation stood at 9.6%, suggesting broad-based inflationary pressures across both urban and rural economies.
Economists said the latest figures indicate that inflation remains entrenched despite some moderation in wholesale prices, with food, energy and transport costs continuing to drive overall price levels.
The PBS data highlights sustained cost-of-living pressures for households nationwide, keeping inflation expectations elevated in the near term and adding to challenges for policymakers ahead of upcoming fiscal decisions.
