One of the entrances to the Burj Hammoud commercial district in northern Beirut on Oct. 8, 2025. (Credit: Philippe Hage Boutros/L'Orient-Le Jour)
BEIRUT — The consumer price index (CPI), calculated monthly by the Central Administration of Statistics, rose 1 percent in January from the previous month, compared with 0.53 percent in December.
Year-on-year inflation slowed to 10.91 percent from 12.23 percent, signaling an easing of price pressures in Lebanon, though uncertainty surrounds February.
Among the sub-indices, monthly changes were limited. Prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages posted the largest increase, up 1 percent, while transport prices fell 2 percent after rising the previous month.
By district, the index declined 0.17 percent in Beirut, 0.03 percent in Mount Lebanon, 0.50 percent in the Bekaa and 0.36 percent in Nabatieh. It rose 0.05 percent in North Lebanon and 0.08 percent in South Lebanon.
In January, gasoline, diesel and gas prices — adjusted twice weekly by the Energy Ministry — increased by about 4 to 5 percent, tracking a rise in global oil prices amid tensions between Tehran and Washington.
International prices climbed about 10 percent during the month, with Brent crude peaking near 17 percent before retreating toward the end of January.
The increase in global prices is expected to affect Lebanon in February. The impact of the 2026 budget adopted at the end of January is also likely to be felt, particularly tax adjustments still pegged to exchange rates below market levels.
In addition, new taxes on containers and gasoline approved in February to finance public sector wage adjustments could influence the CPI trajectory this month. A campaign launched by the Economy Ministry to lower prices of certain food items during Ramadan may partially offset anticipated increases.
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