Inflation Update in Pakistan: Weekly and Annual Trends
The inflation rate in Pakistan has seen a notable rise, with a 0.55% weekly increase and a 4.16% annual increase, as per the latest Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS) report. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
Key Changes in Prices
Increased Prices
- Tomatoes: +16.86%
- Eggs: +5.01%
- Garlic: +4.30%
- LPG: +4.10%
- Mustard Oil: +1.90%
- Sugar: +1.34%
- Firewood: +2.07%
Decreased Prices
- Pulses: -2.51%
- Dal Mash: -0.87%
- Chicken: -0.07%
- Flour: -0.01%
Impact by Income Groups
Inflation by Income Bracket
- Up to PKR 17,732/month: +0.83% (Annual: 2.33%)
- PKR 17,733–22,888/month: +0.74% (Annual: 2.47%)
- PKR 22,889–29,517/month: +0.62% (Annual: 4.07%)
- PKR 29,518–44,175/month: +0.59% (Annual: 4.19%)
- Above PKR 44,176/month: +0.44% (Annual: 4.75%)
Summary
The rising inflation is driven by increased prices of essential commodities, particularly tomatoes, LPG, and eggs, disproportionately impacting lower-income groups. While some relief was observed in pulses and flour, the overall trend reflects mounting financial pressure on households across income levels.
Policy Implications
This persistent inflation underscores the need for targeted subsidies, efficient market monitoring, and measures to stabilize essential commodity prices to alleviate the burden on the populace.