Pakistan’s inflation rate fell sharply in August, dropping to 2.99% from July, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The decline, steeper than Finance Ministry projections, was fueled by lower food and fuel prices.
Inflation falls below expectations
The Finance Ministry had projected inflation between 4% and 5% for August. However, PBS data shows the rate fell by 0.65% to 2.99%, making it one of the lowest in recent months. The average inflation from July to August now stands at 3.53%.
What got cheaper
A significant drop in fresh produce and fuel prices helped ease inflationary pressure:
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Fruits became 21.16% cheaper
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Vegetables declined by 18.48%
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Sugar prices fell by 5.49%
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Motor fuel, electricity, and transport fares also recorded notable decreases
What got expensive
Despite the overall relief, some essentials became costlier in August:
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Tomatoes surged by 19.3%
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Onions rose by 14.46%
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Eggs increased by 12.84%
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Chicken prices went up by 4.16%
Services also became more expensive, with higher costs recorded in education, hospital services, doctor fees, and laundry charges.
