Egypt’s annual inflation rate records 10.1% nationwide in October, urban inflation rises to 12.5%

CAIRO - 10 November 2025: Egypt’s Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) announced that the annual inflation rate for the entire country declined slightly to 10.1 percent in October 2025, compared with 10.3 percent in September.

However, urban inflation saw an uptick, rising to 12.5 percent in October from 11.7 percent the previous month, marking the first increase after four consecutive months of easing inflation.

On a monthly basis, inflation in urban areas increased by 1.8 percent in October compared with September, driven primarily by adjustments in key commodity prices. The rise followed Egypt’s second fuel price increase this year. The government has committed to maintaining price stability for petroleum products for at least one year moving forward.

Food prices in urban areas rose by 1.5 percent month-on-month. Within the food basket, CAPMAS reported notable increases, including grains and bread (4.1 percent), fish and seafood (4.5 percent), dairy products and eggs (1.7 percent), oils and fats (5.1 percent), fruit (32.7 percent), sugar and confectioneries (1.5 percent), coffee, tea and cocoa (4 percent), and mineral water and natural juices (13.3 percent). Meanwhile, meat and poultry prices declined by 4.5 percent and vegetables fell by 13.1 percent, helping to moderate overall food inflation.

Other consumer categories also recorded price increases. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco rose by 26 percent. Clothing and footwear increased by 15 percent, reflecting higher fabric and garment costs. Housing, water, electricity, gas and fuel were up 20.7 percent, driven by increases in rent and utilities. The health sector recorded one of the highest annual increases at 27.7 percent due to higher prices of medical supplies and services. Transportation costs climbed 20.5 percent, while communication services rose 10.9 percent.

CAPMAS noted increases in cultural and entertainment services (13.2 percent), education fees (10 percent), and restaurant and hotel services (12 percent).

The recent trend of easing inflation over the past several months had allowed the Central Bank of Egypt to cut interest rates four times this year, totaling 625 basis points. The most recent cut in October brought the lending rate to 22 percent and the deposit rate to 21 percent.

The Central Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee is scheduled to meet on November 20, where it will decide whether the uptick in inflation pressures warrants adjusting interest rates once again.