Nepal Rastra Bank Reports Inflation Trends for Falgun 2082/83

Kathmandu. Nepal Rastra Bank has released the current economic and financial status of the country for the period ending in Falgun 2082/83. According to the published data, the year-on-year consumer inflation in Falgun 2082 stood at 3.62 percent. In the same month of the previous year, inflation was 3.75 percent, indicating a slight stabilization in price increases.

During the review month, inflation for the food and beverage group was 3.60 percent, while the non-food and service group stood at 3.63 percent. In the same period last year, inflation for these groups was 3.34 percent and 3.97 percent, respectively. The average inflation for the first eight months of the current fiscal year is 2.13 percent, which is significantly lower compared to the 4.72 percent recorded in the same period last year.

Under the food and beverage group, the vegetable sub-group has seen a sharp price increase. During this period, the year-on-year consumer price index for vegetables rose by 11.49 percent. Similarly, the price of ghee and oil increased by 9.86 percent, and fruits by 9.63 percent. Conversely, the central bank reported that the prices of pulses and legumes decreased by 3.66 percent, food and food products by 2.18 percent, and spices by 2.03 percent.

In the non-food and service group, the price of the miscellaneous goods and services sub-group surged by 22.81 percent. Price increases were also noted in education at 7.46 percent, alcoholic beverages at 4.77 percent, clothing and footwear at 4.73 percent, and tobacco products at 3.57 percent. The price index for insurance and financial services saw a marginal decline of 0.03 percent.

Regionally, the year-on-year consumer price index in rural areas increased by 3.06 percent in Falgun. In urban areas, this rate reached 3.82 percent, indicating that inflationary pressure is slightly higher in urban regions compared to rural areas. Overall, while average inflation has decreased compared to the previous year, price hikes in daily essential goods and education continue to directly impact the general public.