The Central Statistical Bureau revealed on Thursday that the Consumer Price Index (CPI), or inflation, locally increased by 2.5% year-on-year at the end of January.  

In a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), the Bureau stated that the inflation rate in Kuwait rose by 0.15% month-on-month in January compared to the previous month.  

The year-on-year rise in inflation was attributed to increases in the prices of major groups influencing the CPI movement, particularly clothing, food, education, and footwear, excluding transportation.  

The Bureau added that the CPI for the first group (Food and Beverages) increased by 5.19% in January compared to the same month in 2024, while the price index for the second group (Cigarettes and Tobacco) saw a slight increase of 0.07% year-on-year.  

It noted that the CPI for the third group (Clothing) rose by 4.81%, while prices for the (Housing Services) group increased by 0.9%. Similarly, the inflation rate for the fifth group (Household Furnishings) rose by 2.98%.  

The Bureau reported that the price index for the sixth group (Health) increased by 3.99%, while prices for the (Transport) group decreased by 1.26% in January compared to the same month in 2024.  

The Bureau indicated that prices for the eighth group (Communications) rose by 0.88% year-on-year, while the inflation rate for the ninth group (Recreation and Culture) increased by 2.64%. Meanwhile, prices for the tenth group (Education) rose by 0.71%.  

It highlighted that prices for the (Restaurants and Hotels) group increased by 2.03% year-on-year in December, while prices for the (Miscellaneous Goods and Services) group rose by 5.17%.  

The Bureau clarified that the inflation rate in Kuwait, excluding the (Food and Beverages) group, increased by 1.86% year-on-year in November.