JEDDAH: Kuwait’s consumer price index rose 0.65 percent in April to 139.8 points, driven primarily by a sharp increase in transport costs, while annual inflation stood at 2.57 percent, according to official data.
The monthly rise was led by transport, which surged 4.61 percent, reflecting higher transport services costs and signaling renewed upward pressure in mobility-related spending, according to the April 2026 Consumer Price Index report, issued by the state’s Central Statistical Bureau.
Inflation across the Gulf Cooperation Council is expected to remain broadly contained at around 2 percent through 2026, supported by stable exchange rate regimes and resilient economic activity, according to the International Monetary Fund.
Within this range, Kuwait’s inflation is expected to remain slightly above the regional average, while other GCC economies are projected to remain close to or below the 2 percent level.
The price of the food and beverages group increased by 1.15 percent compared to the previous month, due to higher costs in the cereals and bread group, meat and poultry group, as well as fish and seafood group, milk, cheese and eggs group, oils, and fats group.
