Tunisia's inflation rate has continued to accelerate, reaching 5.6% in September, according to data released by the National Institute of Statistics (INS) on October 5. This marks a rise from 5.4% in August. The increase is largely attributed to the acceleration of food prices, which rose by 8.4% annually in September, up from 7.5% in August. This trend is a cause for concern, as food prices have a significant impact on the daily lives of Tunisian households.
The food sector has seen significant price increases, with several products experiencing hikes far exceeding the overall inflation rate. The prices of poultry have risen by 16.5%, while fruits and vegetables have increased by 16.3% and 12.9%, respectively. Meat products have also seen substantial price increases, with lamb meat rising by 14.6%, beef by 13%, and fresh fish by 10.4%. However, edible oils have bucked the trend, recording a 4.1% decrease over the past year.
The disparity between regulated and non-regulated food products is striking. Non-regulated food products have seen a 9.4% increase, while regulated products have only risen by 0.2%. This suggests that price controls may be having a limited impact on inflation. The INS data also shows that the consumer price index has increased by 0.8% between August and September, driven in part by a 2.1% rise in food and beverage prices.
The recent increase in prices has been influenced by the back-to-school season. The education sector has seen a 3.9% price increase over the past month, driven by rises in private education services. Specifically, pre-primary and primary private education services have increased by 5.3%, while secondary private education has risen by 4.7%. Additionally, private tutoring services have seen a 3.3% price increase.
Excluding food and energy, the underlying inflation rate remains stable at 4.9% in September. Manufactured goods have risen by 4.8% over the past year, driven by increases in clothing and footwear prices, which have risen by 9.2%. Services have also seen a 4.2% increase, primarily due to a 14.7% rise in accommodation services.
The breakdown of inflation by product category reveals that non-food products have contributed significantly to inflation. Non-regulated products have seen a 6.8% increase, while regulated products have only risen by 1.2%. The INS data also shows that manufactured goods and services have contributed 1.8 and 1.4 points, respectively, to overall inflation. However, non-food non-regulated products have had the most significant impact, contributing 3 points to inflation.
The latest inflation figures highlight the ongoing pressure on household budgets. With an overall inflation rate of 5.6% and food prices rising by 8.4%, Tunisian households are facing significant challenges in meeting their daily expenses. The data suggests that policymakers will need to closely monitor the situation and consider measures to mitigate the impact of inflation on vulnerable populations.
Key points
- Tunisia's inflation rate has risen to 5.6% in September, driven by a 8.4% increase in food prices.
- The education sector has seen a 3.9% price increase over the past month, driven by rises in private education services.
- Non-regulated food products have seen a 9.4% increase, while regulated products have only risen by 0.2%.
