Consumer price inflation stood at 1.47 pc in mid-Oct: NRB

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s year‑on‑year consumer price inflation stood at 1.47% in mid‑October 2025, down from 4.82% a year earlier, the macroeconomic and financial situation report released by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) today shows.

Food and beverage inflation decreased by 2.54% in the review month, while non‑food and service inflation was 3.80%. In the same period last year the price indices for these groups had risen by 7.20% and 3.49% respectively.

The average inflation rate for the first quarter of the current fiscal year was 1.67%, compared with 4.26% a year earlier.

Within the food and beverage category, year‑on‑year price indices rose for ghee and oil (7.75%), non‑alcoholic drinks (3.71%) and meat and fish (3.15%). Prices fell for vegetables (down 15.63%), spices (down 7.82%) and pulses and legumes (down 4.41%).

Under non‑food and services, the miscellaneous goods and services sub‑category recorded the largest increase at 15.51%, followed by education (7.67%), clothes and footwear (6.29%), tobacco products (4.84%) and furnishing and household equipment (4.55%). Insurance and financial services fell slightly by 0.23%.

Regionally, year‑on‑year consumer price inflation rose 1.29% in rural areas and 1.53% in urban areas. By province, inflation was highest in Koshi Province at 2.33% and lowest in Sudurpashchim Province at 0.69%; other provincial figures were Madhesh 1.20%, Bagmati 1.13%, Gandaki 1.16%, Lumbini 1.89% and Karnali 1.91%.

By ecological region, inflation stood at 1.43% in the Kathmandu Valley, 1.29% in the Tarai, 1.50% in the Hill and 2.33% in the Mountain region.

Wholesale price inflation also moderated, with year‑on‑year WPI at 1.32% in mid‑October compared with 5.51% a year ago. Wholesale inflation for consumption goods decreased by 1.24%, while intermediate goods and capital goods rose by 2.71% and 2.40% respectively. The wholesale price index for construction material increased by 3.88% in the review month.