Consumer prices increased by 2.8% in July, marking a return to the 2% range for the first time in three months, with significant rises in personal services coinciding with the vacation season. Fuel prices also continued to show double-digit increases.
According to the National Data Agency's consumer price trends for July 2026, the consumer price index reached 119.77 (2020=100), reflecting a 2.8% increase compared to the same month last year. The consumer price increase rate had remained in the 2% range from January to April this year before rising to the 3% range in May and June.
By category, diesel prices surged by 21.5%, while gasoline prices rose by 12.6%. Kerosene also saw a 20.5% increase. Industrial product prices climbed by 3.7%, contributing to the overall consumer price rise.
Notably, personal services experienced a 3.5% increase year-on-year, with overseas group travel costs rising by 20.0% as the July vacation season began.
Despite government discount initiatives, prices for livestock and seafood continued to rise. Domestic beef prices increased by 5.7%, imported beef by 8.7%, and mackerel by 7.0%.
Additionally, prices for portable multimedia devices rose by 22.5%, and electric vehicles saw a 6.2% increase.
The living cost index rose by 2.5% compared to the same month last year, while the fresh food index fell by 2.3%. The index excluding food and energy increased by 2.6% over the past year, and the index excluding agricultural products and fuel rose by 2.5%.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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