Kathmandu. In the current fiscal year 2082-83, the year-on-year consumer price inflation (price increase) stood at 3.62 percent. According to the latest statistics released by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the inflation rate was 3.75 per cent in the first six months of the last fiscal year.

Food and beverage inflation stood at 3.60 percent while non-food and service inflation stood at 3.63 percent in the review period. In the corresponding period of the previous year, inflation in these groups was 3.34 percent and 3.97 percent, respectively.

Average inflation in the eight months of the current fiscal year stood at 2.13 percent, lower than 4.72 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.

The Consumer Price Index of Vegetables and Beverages increased by 11.49 percent, Ghee and Oil by 9.86 percent and Fruits by 9.63 percent in the review period. Likewise, lentils and legumes sub-group decreased by 3.66 percent, food and food products by 2.18 percent and spices by 2.03 percent.

Prices of miscellaneous goods and services sub-group increased by 22.81 per cent in the review period. Similarly, education increased by 7.46 percent, alcoholic beverages by 4.77 percent, clothing and footwear by 4.73 percent and tobacco products by 3.57 percent. Insurance and financial services, however, decreased by 0.03 percent.

Regionally, rural inflation in the month under review was 3. It is 6 percent in urban areas and 3.82 percent in urban areas. Province-wise Koshi Province has recorded 3.96 per cent, Madhesh Province 4.95 per cent, Bagmati Province 3.31 per cent, Gandaki Province 2.87 per cent, Lumbini Province 4.21 per cent, Karnali Province 2.21 per cent and Sudurpaschim Province 2.25 per cent.

Geographically, the Kathmandu Valley witnessed 3.64 per cent, Terai 4.11 per cent, Hilly region 3.11 per cent and Mountain region 2.83 per cent.