Kuwait’s consumer price index (CPI) increased by 2.49 percent in May 2026 compared to the same month last year, according to data released by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) on Sunday. The rise reflects a 0.07 percent increase from April 2026, driven by higher costs across several key spending categories.

The CSB reported that the most significant year-on-year price growth was observed in the food and beverages sector, which rose by 5.96 percent in May. The miscellaneous goods and services category showed the largest overall increase among all groups, climbing 6.61 percent compared to May 2025. Other notable increases included transport prices, which went up 4.46 percent, and health-related expenses, which rose by 1.19 percent.

Additional increases were seen in clothing and footwear (1.10 percent), household furnishings and maintenance equipment (1.18 percent), communication services (1.03 percent), recreation and culture (1.06 percent), and education (0.94 percent). Housing services costs edged up by 0.49 percent over the year, while prices in the restaurants and hotels sector increased by 0.88 percent. Tobacco and cigarettes prices showed a marginal rise of 0.07 percent.

On a monthly basis, food and beverage prices increased slightly by 0.24 percent in May compared to April, contributing to the modest overall inflation growth seen in the country. The CSB attributed these shifts to inflationary pressures across multiple essential consumer goods and services, reflecting ongoing changes in the local economic environment.