The rate of inflation has started to dwindle in the country, with a slight decrease reported on a month-on-month basis.
According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the inflation rate in April was recorded at 17.3%, with a decrease of 0.4%. The inflation rate in March was 20.7%, while in April 2023 it was at a peak of 36.4%.
The average inflation rate from July to April of this financial year was 25.97%. Inflation in urban areas has decreased by 0.1% to 19.4% and in rural areas by 0.9% to 14.5%.
According to the bureau, onion became cheaper by 15.8%, vegetables by 12%, wheat by 10.44% and wheat flour by about 10% in urban areas in April. The price of tomato decreased by 6.23% and eggs by 4.30%.
The prices of pulses, lentils, sugar, fruits, chickpea flour, jaggery, spices and dry fruits also decreased slightly, but live broiler chicken became more expensive by 21.38%, fish by 2.5%, and meat by 2%. The prices of dry milk, bakery items, daal maash, rice and milk products also recorded an increase.
On an annual basis, food items became expensive by 9.67%, and the perishable ones by 28.51%. Housing, water, electricity, gas and fuel prices increased by 35.67% in a year. Health facilities became expensive by 18.61% and education by 15.40%. Transport fares increased by 12.48%.
