Egypt’s annual inflation eased to 10.1% in January 2026 from 10.3% a month earlier, while consumer prices rose sharply every month, highlighting persistent pressure on household costs.
According to Egypt’s Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS), the consumer price index climbed to 268.1 points in January from 264.2 in December 2025. Monthly inflation, on the other hand, accelerated to 1.5%, compared with 0.1% in December.
The publication of the latest data comes amid the government aggressively working to contain inflation, with directives from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi calling for coordination between the Central Bank of Egypt and the Ministry of Finance.
According to Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, the administration’s immediate priorities are to curb inflation pressures, support economic stability and encourage private sector growth.
CAPMAS stated, “Among the most important indicators in price changes…. an increase in the prices of the grains and bread group by 0.1%, the meat and poultry group by 5.1%, the fish and seafood group by 1.7%, the dairy, cheese, and eggs group by 0.5%, the oils, and fats group by 0.2%. Price movements in January contrasted with patterns seen in December 2025. Essential food and beverage categories recorded significant increases after some declines in the previous month. The meat and poultry group rose 5.1% in January following a 1.1% decline in December.”
Breaking down the numbers further, vegetables increased by 8.5% after falling 2% in December, while coffee, tea, and cocoa rose by 6.7%, up from 0.1%. Fish and seafood increased by 1.7%, followed by dairy, cheese, and eggs (by 0.5%), grains and bread (by 0.1%). Oils and fats, on the other hand, rose by 0.2%. Housing-related costs continued to rise, with actual rents (up 1.6%), imputed rents (up 1.9%) and housing maintenance and repair (up 0.8%) all maintaining an upward trajectory.
The report also showed hospital services increased by 3.4%, while outpatient clinic services rose by 1.0%, compared with December increases of 1.8% and 1.0%, respectively. Other consumer categories recorded moderate increases. Clothing and accessories rose by 1.4%, ready-made clothing by 1.1%, footwear by 0.4%, and cleaning, repair, and clothing rental by 1.0%.
Personal care increased by 0.6%, along with transport services, which rose by 0.3%. Household items and equipment rose between 0.2% and 0.7%. Fruit prices decreased by 2.5%, while home appliances declined by 0.4%, continuing trends from December in some sectors.