05.11.202501:22:12UTC+00Philippine Inflation Steady at 1.7% in October

The inflation rate in the Philippines remained steady at 1.7% in October 2025, matching the figure from September and falling short of anticipations for a modest increase to 1.8%. Nevertheless, it represented the highest rate observed since March, primarily attributed to a rise in inflation for housing and utilities, which climbed to 2.7% from 2.1% in September, marking a four-month peak. There was also an acceleration in price increases for clothing and footwear (1.8% from 1.7%), as well as personal care and miscellaneous goods and services (2.5% from 2.4%). Conversely, inflation for food and non-alcoholic beverages slowed down to 0.5% from 1%, influenced by a more moderate annual hike in the cost of vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas, and pulses. Additionally, the rate of cost increases eased for transport (0.9% compared to 1%), health (2.7% down from 2.8%), and recreation and culture (1.9% from 2.1%). On a month-to-month comparison, consumer prices inched up by 0.1%, following a stagnant performance in the previous month. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy items, eased to 2.5% in October, a three-month low, down from 2.6% in September.