Consumer price inflation rises to 4.47% in mid-April

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, May 13: The consumer price inflation (CIP) reached 4.47 per cent in mid-April 2026, up from 3.39 per cent recorded during the same period last year.

According to the latest macroeconomic situation report, food and beverage inflation stood at 4.01 per cent whereas non-food and service inflation stood at 4.72 per cent in the review month. 

During the same period in the previous year, the price indices of these groups had increased by 2.45 per cent and 3.90 per cent, respectively. 

The average inflation stood at 2.39 per cent in the ninth month of the current fiscal year compared to 4.57 per cent a year ago. 

Under the food and beverage category, y-o-y price index of ghee and oil sub-category increased by 12.87 per cent, fruit 11.67 per cent, and vegetable 9.18 per cent while y-o-y price index of pulses,

However, y-o-y price index of legumes sub-category decreased by 2.78 per cent, cereal grains and their products by 1.68 per cent and spices by 1.64 per cent. 

Under the non-food and services category, y-o-y price index of miscellaneous goods and services sub-category increased by 19.94 per cent, transportation by 12.03 per cent, education by 7.46 per cent, alcoholic drinks by 4.77 per cent and clothes and footwear by 4.73 per cent. 

During the review month, y-o-y price index in rural areas increased by 3.71 per cent, while in urban areas, it rose by 4.74 per cent. 

Based on provinces, in the review month, y-o-y consumer price inflation in Koshi Province is 4.98 per cent, Madhes 4.91 per cent, Bagmati 4.20 per cent, Gandaki 3.85 per cent, Lumbini 5.15 per cent, Karnali 3.82 per cent, and Sudurpashchim 3.39 per cent. 

In the review month, y-o-y consumer price inflation in the Kathmandu Valley, Tarai, Hill and Mountain region stood at 4.69 per cent, 4.83 per cent, 4.18 per cent and 3.20 per cent respectively. 

The y-o-y wholesale price inflation stood at 3.92 per cent in mid-April 2026 compared to 4.20 per cent a year ago. 

The y-o-y wholesale price inflation of consumption goods decreased by 5.60 per cent while intermediate goods and capital goods stood at 9.95 per cent and 4.14 per cent respectively. 

The y-o-y wholesale price index of construction material increased by 1.97 per cent in the review month. 

The y-o-y salary and wage index increased by 6.30 per cent in third quarter of fiscal year 2025-26 compared to 2.60 per cent a year ago. 

Based on provinces, in the review quarter, the increase in y-o-y salary and wage index in Koshi is 8.45 per cent, Madhes 3.75 per cent, Bagmati 5.03 per cent, Gandaki 10.40 per cent, Lumbini 8.54 per cent, Karnali 1.15 per cent, and Sudurpashchim 5.83 per cent.