CBE: Egypt’s Core Inflation Rises to 14% Year-on-Year

Egypt’s core inflation rate accelerated to 14.0% on an annual basis in March 2026, up from 12.7% recorded in February, according to a statement released by the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE).

The increase signals mounting underlying price pressures in the economy, even as policymakers continue to monitor inflation dynamics closely.

On a monthly basis, core consumer prices, measured by the central bank, rose by 2.0% in March. This compares with a 0.9% increase in March 2025 and a sharper 3.0% rise in February 2026, indicating a moderation in the pace of monthly inflation despite the higher annual rate.

Meanwhile, data from the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) showed that urban headline inflation climbed at a faster pace. The monthly change in the general consumer price index for urban areas reached 3.2% in March, up from 1.6% in the same month last year and 2.8% in February.

On an annual basis, urban inflation rose to 15.2% in March 2026, compared to 13.4% in February, reflecting continued upward pressure on consumer prices across key sectors.