Muscat: The inflation rate within the Sultanate of Oman witnessed a modest increase of 0.7% year-on-year in June 2024, as per the data derived from the standard consumer price indices, as disseminated by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).
The data from the NCSI indicates a rise in the cost of various categories, including food items and non-alcoholic beverages, which saw a 3.8% increase, goods and services, which experienced a 3.3% hike, health-related expenses, which saw a 2.4% increase, culture and entertainment sectors, which recorded a 0.5% increase, the hospitality industry, including restaurants and hotels, which saw a 0.4% increase, tobacco products, which experienced a 0.2% increase, and clothing and footwear, which saw a 0.1% increase.
Conversely, the cost of transport items decreased by 2%, educational services saw a marginal decrease of 0.4%, and the categories of furniture, home supplies, and appliances, along with regular maintenance of residential properties, experienced a decrease of 0.2%. The communication sector saw a slight increase of 0.1%, with housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels maintaining stable prices.
Regarding the categories of non-alcoholic items, the prices of vegetables saw a 13.3% increase, fruits experienced a 7.3% increase, milk, cheese, and eggs saw a 4.1% increase, fish and sea food saw a 3.4% increase, meat experienced a 2% increase, sugar, jam, honey, and sweet products saw a 2% increase, and bread and cereals experienced a 0.5% increase.
In terms of regional comparisons, the inflation rate in June 2024 saw a modest increase of 1.8% in Al Wusta Governorate compared to the corresponding period in 2023. The rate also increased by 1.6% in Musandam Governorate, 1.5% in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate, 1.4% in both South Al Sharqiyah Governorate and Dhofar, 1.2% in North Al Batinah Governorate, 0.9% in South Al Batinah Governorate, 0.8% in Al Buraimi Governorate, 0.7% in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, and 0.4% in Muscat Governorate during the same period.
