05.02.202508:53:00UTC+00Philippine Inflation Steady At 2.9%

In January, the Philippines' consumer price inflation remained consistent, following a series of increases over the previous three months, according to recent data from the Philippine Statistical Authority. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded a year-over-year increase of 2.9 percent, mirroring December's rate, which was the highest observed in the past four months.

Importantly, this inflation rate stayed within the central bank's target range of 2 to 4 percent. Core inflation, which omits the prices of particular food and energy items, slightly decreased to 2.6 percent from December's 2.8 percent.

Looking at specific categories, the year-on-year price increase for food and non-alcoholic beverages rose to 3.8 percent from 3.4 percent. Transport costs also saw a marginal rise, increasing to 1.1 percent from 0.9 percent.

Conversely, inflation in utilities saw a reduction, slowing to 2.2 percent from 2.9 percent, while the growth in clothing and footwear prices moderated slightly from 2.4 percent to 2.3 percent.

On a month-to-month basis, seasonally adjusted consumer prices edged down by 0.1 percent, following a 0.5 percent increase in December.