Egypt's annual urban consumer price inflation rate fell to 12.5 per cent in February 2025, down from 23.2 per cent in January, according to Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS) report released on Monday. On a monthly basis, inflation dropped to 1.4 per cent compared to 1.6 per cent in January. The decline in the annual inflation rate was largely driven by falling prices in key categories, particularly vegetables, which saw an 8.2 per cent decrease, and beverages such as coffee, tea, and cocoa, which dropped by 0.2 per cent. Monthly inflation changes Food and beverage prices rose by 0.4 per cent, mainly due to an increase in meat and poultry prices by 3.2 per cent, fruit prices by 3.0 per cent, and bread and grains by 0.8 per cent, despite a sharp drop in vegetable prices by 8.2 per cent. The tobacco and alcohol sector recorded a significant increase of 6.3 per cent, with cigarette prices rising at the same rate and alcoholic beverages climbing by 3.3 per cent. Clothing and footwear prices increased by 0.6 per cent. Housing and utilities recorded an increase of 0.5 per cent, led by a 1.1 per cent rise in rent and a 0.2 per cent increase in home maintenance costs. Healthcare costs rose by 0.6 per cent, driven by higher prices for medical equipment, outpatient services, and hospital services, all of which increased by 0.5 per cent. The transport sector saw a 0.4 per cent rise due to an uptick in vehicle prices by 0.3 per cent and transport services by 0.5 per cent. The education sector recorded one of the largest increases at 10.0 per cent, with fees for pre-primary and primary education rising by 12.5 per cent, and higher education costs increasing by 12.2 per cent. Annual inflation changes Compared to February 2024, food and beverage prices increased by 4.2 per cent, with fruit prices soaring by 44.1 per cent, dairy products rising by 7.9 per cent, and coffee and tea seeing a 9.2 per cent increase. However, vegetable prices dropped by 7.0 per cent, and oils and fats declined by 3.4 per cent. The tobacco and alcohol sector recorded a 26.8 per cent increase, largely driven by rising cigarette prices 26.8 per cent. Clothing and footwear prices climbed by 18.1 per cent, with the highest increase observed in shoe repair services at 22.5 per cent. Housing and utilities costs rose by 17.3 per cent, with real rent increasing by 11.0 per cent and home maintenance costs up by 12.6 per cent. Healthcare costs surged by 27.0 per cent, with medical equipment prices jumping by 36.0 per cent. Transport costs saw a 32.4 per cent increase, with private transport costs rising by 25.8 per cent and public transport services increasing by 39.3 per cent. The education sector recorded a 10.0 per cent increase, mainly due to higher pre-primary and primary education fees, which rose by 12.5 per cent. Hotels and restaurants saw prices climb by 14.4 per cent, with hotel service costs up by 26.9 per cent. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: Y.Yasser Subediting: M. S. Salama Download
