Kazakhstan's annual inflation accelerates to 11.3% in MayInflation in Kazakhstan was 0.9% in May 2025, slowing down from 1.2% in April, according to the Bureau of National Statistics of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms.Year-on-year inflation in May reached 11.3%, accelerating compared to 10.7% in April.Prices for paid services rose by 16% year-on-year in May, food products became more expensive by 9.6%, and non-food goods by 9%.Compared to May last year, cold water tariffs increased by 97.6%, sewerage by 25.1%, central heating by 19.2%, gas transported via distribution networks by 15%, hot water by 14.5%, electricity by 11.2%, and housing maintenance fees by 10.7%.Prices for communication services by 15.8%, vehicle maintenance and repair services by 13.5%, catering services by 12.5%, healthcare services by 12.3%, and recreation and sporting events services by 11%.Rail passenger transport fares increased by 26.5%, city bus fares by 11.1%, air passenger transport fares by 10.5%, and taxi fares by 10%. Rental housing costs rose by 13.6%.Price increases were recorded for onions (76.3%), cabbage (67.5%), potatoes (66.9%), sunflower oil (23.8%), mineral and drinking water (16.7%), beef (15.3%), lamb (14.3%), confectionery (13.9%), soft drinks (12.5%). Price decreases were observed for buckwheat (12%) and rice (8.3%).The price level for jewelry and watches increased by 33.5%, new passenger cars by 24.9%, large household electrical appliances by 20.4%, audiovisual equipment by 20.2%, clothing and footwear by 10.9%, and furniture and household items by 10.3%.On a regional basis in May 2025, inflation exceeding the national average occurred in five regions, with the highest rates in the cities of Almaty (13%) and Astana (12.8%), as well as in the Karaganda region (12.7%).Analysts surveyed by Interfax-Kazakhstan had forecast that the republic's inflation at the end of May would accelerate to 10.8-11.5% year-on-year. The most accurate forecast was by Freedom Finance Global analyst Daniyar Orazbayev, who expected year-on-year inflation at the end of May to be 11.3%.Inflation in Kazakhstan slowed to 8.6% in 2024 from 9.8% in 2023. The country's National Bank expects inflation at the end of 2025 to be in the range of 10-12% and aims to stabilize it near 5% in the medium term. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX