Pakistan Reports Inflation Surge to 5.8% in January 2026

Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation in Pakistan rose to 5.8 percent on a year-on-year basis in January 2026, up from 5.6 percent in December 2025 and 2.4 percent in January 2025, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). Month-on-month, CPI increased by 0.4 percent in January 2026, compared with a 0.4 percent decline in the previous month and a 0.2 percent rise in January 2025.

Urban CPI inflation remained stable at 5.8 percent YoY in January 2026, unchanged from December 2025, while month-on-month it rose by 0.2 percent. Rural CPI inflation increased to 5.8 percent YoY, up from 5.4 percent in December, with a 0.6 percent MoM rise in January 2026.

Sensitive Price Index (SPI) inflation increased by 3.3 percent YoY, compared with 2.5 percent in December 2025, while month-on-month it stayed in negative territory at -0.8 percent. Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation rose by 0.2 percent YoY in January 2026, down from 0.6 percent in December, with a 0.2 percent decline MoM.

Core inflation measured by non-food, non-energy Urban CPI increased by 7.2 percent YoY in January 2026, up from 6.9 percent in December, while month-on-month it rose by 1.0 percent. Non-food, non-energy Rural CPI increased 8.3 percent YoY, with a 1.1 percent monthly rise. Core inflation measured by the 20 percent weighted trimmed mean increased 4.9 percent YoY in Urban areas and 5.4 percent YoY in Rural areas, with MoM increases of 0.5 percent and 0.7 percent, respectively.

Overall, the inflation data reflects rising price pressures across urban and rural areas, affecting food, non-food, and core categories, highlighting ongoing challenges for households and policymakers.