Lebanon’s inflation accelerates again in May

BEIRUT — Lebanon’s inflation rate climbed for the second straight month in May, reversing the brief slowdown seen in February and March. The Consumer Price Index (CPI), which tracks price changes in Lebanese pounds, rose to its highest level in four months following a rise that began in April.

According to the Central Administration of Statistics, affiliated with the Office of the Prime Minister, the CPI increased 1.31 percent month-on-month in May, up from 0.67 percent in April. On an annual basis, the index rose 14.44 percent, compared with 12.99 percent the previous month.

Nearly all subcategories recorded monthly price increases, led by rent and housing-related fees, which jumped 3.50 percent, followed by furniture at 1.84 percent and alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 1.20 percent. The few categories that saw price declines were recreation (-1.27 percent), food and non-alcoholic beverages (-0.87 percent), clothing (-0.75 percent) and telecommunications (-0.47 percent). Education prices remained unchanged from April.

Year-on-year, most subcategories also saw price hikes, with education leading at 30.74 percent, followed by various goods and services (22.70 percent), health-related fees (21.61 percent), and food and non-alcoholic beverages (21.36 percent). Only telecommunications (-3.24 percent) and transport (-0.93 percent) recorded declines compared to last year.

Regionally, the CPI rose across all areas on a monthly basis. Mount Lebanon posted the largest increase at 2.33 percent, followed by Bekaa (0.82 percent), North Lebanon (0.60 percent), Beirut (0.17 percent), Nabatieh (0.12%), and South Lebanon (0.04 percent).