Egypt’s annual inflation eases to 11.5% in February

CAIRO – 10 March 2026: Egypt’s annual inflation rate eased to 11.5 percent in February, down from 12.5 percent in the same month of 2025, according to figures published by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS).

The national Consumer Price Index (CPI) climbed to 275.2 points in February, representing a 2.7 percent month-on-month increase compared with January 2026.

CAPMAS said the monthly rise was mainly driven by higher prices across several goods and services, particularly meat and poultry, which increased by 9 percent. Vegetable prices rose by 3.8 percent, while milk, cheese, and eggs as well as oils and fats each increased by 0.5 percent. Fish and seafood prices also edged up by 0.4 percent.

At the same time, tobacco prices rose by 2.9 percent, while actual housing rents increased by 2.8 percent. Prices of ready-made clothing and fabrics went up by 0.8 percent, and footwear prices rose by 0.6 percent.

In contrast, some food categories recorded declines during the month. Grains and bread prices fell by 1.3 percent, fruit prices dropped by 3 percent, while sugar and sugary products declined by 0.1 percent. Coffee, tea, and cocoa also saw a slight decrease of 0.2 percent.

By expenditure category, food and beverages recorded a 2.8 percent monthly increase, largely reflecting higher meat and vegetable prices. Meanwhile, the housing, water, electricity, gas, and fuel category rose by 1.6 percent, mainly driven by rent increases.

The education sector recorded the largest monthly increase at 20 percent, reflecting higher costs for pre-primary and primary education (22 percent), secondary education (15.3 percent), and higher education (17 percent).

Meanwhile, transportation and healthcare prices saw only modest increases of around 0.1 percent each in February compared with January 2026.