Kuwait’s inflation rises 2.19% in June, driven by higher food prices
- Latest figures suggest that while overall price growth in Kuwait remains moderate, rising food and transportation costs continue to exert upward pressure on household spending.
Kuwait’s annual inflation rate rose to 2.19 percent in June 2026, driven primarily by higher food, transport and consumer goods prices, according to the latest data released by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB).
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) remained unchanged at 139.9 points compared with May 2026, indicating stable monthly inflation, while recording a 2.19 percent increase compared with June 2025.
The food and beverages category remained one of the key drivers of inflation, recording an annual increase of 5.55 percent, reflecting higher prices for cereals, bread, meat, poultry, dairy products, edible oils, fruits, vegetables, sugar and beverages.
The miscellaneous goods and services group posted the highest annual increase at 5.80 percent, followed by transport, which rose 4.83 percent over the past year.
Other categories that registered annual price increases included recreation and culture (1.13 percent), household furnishings and maintenance (1.11 percent), health (1.03 percent), communications (1.03 percent), education (1.02 percent), clothing and footwear (0.89 percent), restaurants and hotels (0.22 percent) and housing services (0.16 percent).
On a monthly basis, food prices increased by 0.18 percent, although prices of fish and seafood declined during the period. Recreation and culture recorded a 0.15 percent monthly increase, while housing, education, transport, clothing, household furnishings, restaurants and hotels all posted modest gains ranging between 0.07 percent and 0.08 percent.
In contrast, the miscellaneous goods and services category declined by 0.40 percent from May, mainly due to lower prices for personal accessories and luggage. Prices in the health, communications, and tobacco categories remained unchanged.
The report also showed that the Consumer Price Index excluding food and beverages increased 1.43 percent year-on-year, while the index excluding housing services recorded a stronger annual increase of 3.07 percent, indicating that inflationary pressures remain evident across a broad range of sectors despite stable monthly headline inflation.
The latest figures suggest that while overall price growth in Kuwait remains moderate, rising food and transportation costs continue to exert upward pressure on household spending.
