{"id":524008,"date":"2026-03-14T23:50:20","date_gmt":"2026-03-14T23:50:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/524008\/"},"modified":"2026-03-14T23:50:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-14T23:50:20","slug":"inflation-hits-20-month-high-the-royal-gazette","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/524008\/","title":{"rendered":"Inflation hits 20-month high – The Royal Gazette"},"content":{"rendered":"

Created: Mar 13, 2026 05:59 PM (Updated: Mar 14, 2026 07:59 AM)<\/p>\n

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Inflation is moving in a worrying direction, with the latest figures marking a 2.5 per cent jump in the year to October (File photograph)<\/p>\n

The inflation rate reached its highest point in 20 months in October, the latest government figures show.<\/p>\n

Consumers paid 2.5 per cent more in October 2025 than they did a year earlier for the basket of goods and services included in the Consumer Price Index.<\/p>\n

Inflation was last that high in February 2024, and the figures indicate a worrying upward trend since June.<\/p>\n

The inflation spike came in the same month that the volume of retail sales slumped 7 per cent as sales dropped across the board, according to the Department of Statistics.<\/p>\n

The October level of inflation increased 0.3 percentage points from the September 2025 annual inflation rate.<\/p>\n

While the overall annual average inflation rate had been moderating from its 2022 peak of 4 per cent, this latest monthly data suggests a slight reversal of that cooling trend.<\/p>\n

The 2.5 per cent year-over-year increase was primarily driven by significant price hikes in essential service sectors.<\/p>\n

Health and personal care costs saw the steepest climb, rising 4.3 per cent. Within this sector, dental care surged 12.4 per cent, while health insurance and doctor\/hospital visits increased 4.6 per cent and 3.6 per cent respectively.<\/p>\n

The transport and foreign travel division followed closely with a 3.9 per cent annual increase. This was heavily influenced by a 10.8 per cent jump in foreign travel costs, despite a slight 0.8 per cent decrease in the fuel and power sector over the same period.<\/p>\n

Food inflation remains a key concern for households, as prices rose 3 per cent year-over-year. Specific items saw even more dramatic increases, including a 9 per cent rise in the cost of poultry and an overall 6.6 per cent rise in meats and meat products. Sugar and sugar confectionery went up 5.3 per cent.<\/p>\n

On a monthly basis, the food index rose 0.4 per cent between September and October 2025, with items such as infants\u2019 clothing notably bucking the trend with a 15.6 per cent monthly decrease.<\/p>\n

\u2022 For more on the October 2025 CPI Report, see Related Media<\/p>\n

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