Kuwait Inflation Eases to 2.49% in May as IMF Sees 2.1% in 2026

2 articles · Updated · Arab News · Jun 21

Kuwait’s annual inflation rate slowed to 2.49% in May, while consumer prices rose 0.07% from April, according to the Central Statistical Bureau’s latest CPI report.
Food and beverage prices climbed 5.96% year on year and miscellaneous goods and services jumped 6.61%, with transportation up 4.46%, helping keep overall inflation positive even as the headline rate eased.
Other categories posted milder increases, including healthcare at 1.19%, furniture and household equipment at 1.18%, clothing and footwear at 1.10%, education at 0.94% and housing services at 0.49%.
The IMF expects headline inflation to moderate further to 2.1% in 2026 and stay just below 2% over the medium term, supported by prudent policies, easing price pressures and a projected 3.8% expansion in Kuwait’s economy.