Inflation hits 3-year high in April

HEADLINE inflation accelerated to 4.9 percent in April, the highest recorded in more than three years, mainly driven by higher food and transport prices.

In a virtual briefing on Thursday, National Statistician Dennis Mapa said the inflation last month was the highest since the 5.2 percent in December 2018.

It was up from 4.0 percent in March and 4.1 percent in April last year.

“The increase in the country’s inflation was mainly brought about by the higher annual increase in the index for food and non-alcoholic beverages at 3.8 percent; transport, 13.0 percent; and housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, 6.9 percent,” said Mapa.