KUWAIT CITY, Aug 21: The Kuwait Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) released data on Thursday showing an increase of 2.39 percent in the consumer price index (CPI) at the end of July, compared to the same month last year. The bureau relayed to KUNA that the inflation rate rose by 0.22 percent in July compared to June, promoted by the increase of major groups affecting the CPI, especially food, health, clothing, and education, excluding transportation. The CPI for the food and beverages group rose in July of last year by 5.63 percent compared to the same month in 2024, while the cigarettes and tobacco group rose slightly by 0.07 percent year-on-year.

The statistics agency indicated that the index for the clothing group rose by 3.7 percent, while prices for the housing services group rose by 0.98 percent, and the inflation rate for the household furniture group increased by 3.22 percent. It added that the price index of the health group rose by 2.85 percent, while the prices of the transportation group witnessed a decrease of 1.75 percent in July compared to the same month in 2024. The CSB added that the price index of the communications group rose by 0.48 percent year-on-year, while the inflation rate in the recreation and culture group rose by 1.76 percent. Meanwhile, the prices of the education group rose by 0.71 percent. It pointed out that the price index of the restaurants and hotels group rose by 1.94 percent on an annual basis in July, while inflation of the miscellaneous goods and services group rose by 4.8 percent. The bureau pointed out that the inflation rate in Kuwait, excluding the food and beverages group, rose by 1.61 percent year-on-year in July and by 0.08 percent month-on-month. (KUNA)