Consumer price index down to 1.68% from 4.09 per cent from last year

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Sept. 17:The consumer price inflation has decreased during the first month of the current fiscal year as compared to same period last fiscal year.

According to the current macroeconomic and financial situation report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the y-o-y consumer price inflation stood at 1.68 per cent in mid-August 2025 compared to 4.09 percent a year ago. 

Food and beverage inflation stood negative at 2.28 per cent whereas non-food and service inflation stood at 3.95 per cent in the review month. 

During the same period in the previous year, the price indices of these groups had increased by 6.17 per cent and 2.94 per cent, respectively.

Under the food and beverage category, y-o-y price index of ghee and oil sub-category increased by 10.97 per cent, non-alcoholic drinks by 4.64 per cent and fruit by 3.01 per cent. 

However, the y-o-y price index of vegetable sub-category decreased by 18.56 per cent, spices by 4.81 per cent and meat and fish by 2.41 per cent.

Under the non-food and services category, y-o-y price index of miscellaneous goods and services sub-category increased by 10.60 per cent, education by 7.67 per cent, clothes and footwear by 6.84 per cent, furnishing and household equipment by 5.06 per cent, and tobacco products by 4.68 per cent.

The y-o-y price index of insurance and financial services sub-category decreased by 0.22 per cent during the review period.

During the review month, y-o-y price index in rural areas increased by 1.65 per cent, while in urban areas, it rose by 1.70 per cent.

Lower inflation in Sudurpashchim 

Based on provinces, in the review month, y-o-y consumer price inflation in Koshi Province was 2.84 per cent, Madhes Province 1.86 per cent, Bagmati Province 1.67 per cent, Gandaki Province 1.03 per cent, Lumbini Province 1.35 per cent, Karnali Province 1.79 per cent, and Sudurpashchim Province 0.31 per cent.

In the review month, y-o-y consumer price inflation in the Kathmandu Valley, Tarai, Hill and Mountain region stood at 2.26 per cent, 1.33 per cent, 1.56 per cent and 2.59 per cent respectively.

The y-o-y wholesale price inflation stood at 2.37 per cent in mid-August 2025 compared to 3.66 per cent a year ago.

The y-o-y wholesale price inflation of consumption goods stood at 6.57 per cent and that of capital goods at 2.96 per cent while intermediate goods stood negative at -0.12 per cent.

The y-o-y wholesale price index of construction materials increased by 4.08 per cent in the review month.