Islamabad, January 1, 2026 — Pakistan’s headline inflation slowed to 5.6 percent in December 2025, marking a decline from 6.1 percent in November 2025, according to the latest figures released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). On a year-on-year basis, inflation was higher than 4.1 percent recorded in December 2024, reflecting mixed price trends across sectors.
PBS data showed that Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation (General) rose by 5.6 percent year-on-year in December 2025. On a month-on-month basis, CPI declined by 0.4 percent, reversing the 0.4 percent increase recorded in November 2025 and contrasting with a 0.1 percent rise in December 2024.
In urban areas, CPI inflation increased by 5.8 percent year-on-year in December 2025, compared with 6.1 percent in the previous month and 4.4 percent in December 2024. On a monthly basis, urban inflation fell by 0.4 percent, after a 0.5 percent rise in November.
Meanwhile, rural CPI inflation stood at 5.4 percent year-on-year, easing from 6.3 percent in November 2025 but higher than 3.6 percent in December 2024. On a month-on-month basis, rural inflation declined by 0.6 percent, compared to a 0.2 percent increase in the previous month.
The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), which tracks essential commodities, rose by 2.5 percent year-on-year in December 2025, significantly lower than the 4.2 percent increase recorded a month earlier. On a monthly basis, SPI inflation dropped by 0.8 percent, indicating easing prices of key consumer items.
Similarly, Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation increased by just 0.6 percent year-on-year in December 2025, down from 1.1 percent in November and 1.9 percent in December 2024. On a month-on-month basis, WPI declined by 0.9 percent.
Core inflation, measured by non-food non-energy (NFNE) prices, showed mixed trends. Urban NFNE inflation rose to 6.9 percent year-on-year, up from 6.6 percent in November, while rural NFNE inflation eased slightly to 8.1 percent, compared to 8.2 percent a month earlier.
Under the 20 percent trimmed mean measure, core inflation in urban areas increased to 5.5 percent year-on-year, while rural trimmed mean inflation stood at 6.0 percent. On a month-on-month basis, trimmed core inflation remained largely stable, indicating contained underlying price pressures.
Overall, the latest PBS data suggests a moderation in headline and wholesale inflation, offering some relief to consumers, even as core inflation remains relatively elevated.