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Consumer price inflation rose to 4.47 percent in mid-April 2026, compared to 3.39 percent a year ago.

Increasing prices of petroleum products took a toll on average market prices, pushing the inflation rate upward. Petrol, which was Rs 157 per litre before the US-Iran tension, now stands at Rs 217, while diesel has jumped from Rs 142 to Rs 225 per litre.

As per the ‘Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report of Nepal’ published by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), food and beverage inflation stood at 4.01 percent, whereas non-food and service inflation stood at 4.72 percent in the review month. During the same period in the previous year, the price indices of these groups had increased by 2.45 percent and 3.90 percent, respectively.

Under the food and beverage category, the year-on-year price index of the ghee and oil sub-category increased by 12.87 percent, fruit by 11.67 percent, and vegetables by 9.18 percent, while the price index of the pulses and legumes sub-category decreased by 2.78 percent, cereal grains and their products by 1.68 percent, and spices by 1.64 percent.

Under the non-food and services category, the price index of the miscellaneous goods and services sub-category increased by 19.94 percent, transportation by 12.03 percent, education by 7.46 percent, alcoholic drinks by 4.77 percent, and clothes and footwear by 4.73 percent last month.

During the review month, the price index in rural areas increased by 3.71 percent, while in urban areas it rose by 4.74 percent.

Based on provinces, consumer price inflation in the review month was 4.98 percent in Koshi Province, 4.91 percent in Madhesh Province, 4.20 percent in Bagmati Province, 3.85 percent in Gandaki Province, 5.15 percent in Lumbini Province, 3.82 percent in Karnali Province, and 3.39 percent in Sudurpashchim Province.

The average inflation in the first nine months of the current fiscal year, however, was almost half the rate of the review period last year. According to the NRB, the nine-month consumer price inflation stood at 2.39 percent at the end of the third quarter, compared to 4.57 percent a year ago.