Inflation eases slightly

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, May 13: The consumer price inflation decreased in the first nine months of the current fiscal year.

According to the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report made public by Nepal Rastra Bank on Sunday, the year-on-year (y-o-y) consumer price inflation stood at 3.39 per cent in mid-April 2025 compared to 4.61 per cent a year ago. 

Food and beverage inflation stood at 2.45 per cent whereas non-food and service inflation stood at 3.90 percent in the review month. 

During the same period in the previous year, the price indices of these groups had increased by 5.22 per cent and 4.20 per cent respectively.

Under the food and beverage category, y-o-y price index of ghee and oil sub-category increased by 11.63 per cent, fruit by 9.07 per cent, pulses and legumes by 6.58 per cent and non-alcoholic drinks by 5.16 per cent.

However, y-o-y price index of vegetable sub-category decreased by 5.24 per cent, spices by 2.32 per cent and meat and fish by 0.89 per cent.

Under the non-food and services category, y-o-y price index of miscellaneous goods and services sub-category increased by 8.69 per cent, clothes and footwear by 7.01 per cent, alcoholic drinks by 6.07 per cent, furnishing and household equipment by 5.59 per cent and tobacco products by 4.83 per cent.

During the review month, y-o-y price index in rural areas increased by 3.78 per cent, while in urban areas, it rose by 3.25 per cent.

Based on provinces, in the review month, y-o-y consumer price inflation in Koshi Province is 4.91 per cent, Madhes Province 3.59 per cent, Bagmati Province 2.80 per cent, Gandaki Province 2.83 per cent, Lumbini Province 3.11 per cent, Karnali Province 3.11 per cent and Sudurpashchim Province 3.51 per cent.

In the review month, y-o-y consumer price inflation in the Kathmandu Valley, Tarai, Hill and Mountain region rose by 2.95 per cent, 3.31 per cent, 3.46 per cent and 4.47 per cent respectively.

The y-o-y wholesale price inflation stood at 4.20 per cent in mid-April 2025 compared to 4.94 per cent a year ago.

The y-o-y wholesale price of consumption goods increased by 9.83 per cent while intermediate goods and capital goods increased by 1.08 per cent and 3.06 per cent respectively. 

The y-o-y wholesale price of construction material increased by 2.52 per cent in the review month.

The y-o-y salary and wage index increased by 2.62 percent in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024-25 compared to 5.34 per cent a year ago.