April inflation reaches 13.37pc, highest level in over two years

Inflation in Pakistan, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), hit a two-year high of 13.37% in April compared to the same month last year, Pakistan Statistics Bureau (PBS) said on Sunday.

Inflation picked up 12.7 percent from the previous year (year-on-year) in March, up 1.61 points from April.

This is the highest inflation rate since January 2020, at 14.6 pc.

Based on data shared by the PBS, inflation in urban and rural areas increased by 1.6pc and 1.63pc respectively.

Perishable food products led the inflation trend with an increase of 29.57 pc, followed by 28.34 pc for transport and 15.02 pc for non-perishable food products.

Other sectors that registered double-digit price growth were clothing and footwear (10.84 pc), furniture and household equipment maintenance (14.66 pc), health (10.37 pc), restaurants, and hotels (14.57 pc), and various goods and services (12.76 pc).

In addition, prices of accommodation and public services increased by 7.05pc, communication by 1.61pc, leisure and culture by 9.65pc, and education by 8.36pc.