Inflation in Antigua and Barbuda accelerated to 4.1 percent in May 2026 compared with the same month a year earlier, driven largely by increases in housing-related costs and electricity prices, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report showed that the Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels category increased by 8.2 percent over the 12-month period and accounted for nearly half of the overall rise in consumer prices. Actual rental costs increased by 6.3 percent, while electricity, gas and other fuels climbed 21.4 percent. Electricity prices alone were up 25 percent compared with May 2025.
The statistics agency said the Energy Index rose by 12 percent during the period, reflecting an increase in the fuel variation charge from 56 cents to 70 cents.
Food prices also continued to rise, with the Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages category increasing by 2.4 percent year-on-year. Officials said the largest contributors to food inflation were food products not elsewhere classified, which rose 8 percent, and vegetables, which increased 6.3 percent.
Other sectors recording notable annual increases included Recreation and Culture, up 30.2 percent, Education, up 13.3 percent, Transport Services, up 19.6 percent, and Restaurants and Hotels, up 4.5 percent.
On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased by 0.4 percent between April and May 2026. The rise was driven mainly by higher food and energy costs, although a decline in transport services helped offset some of the increase.
Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages rose 0.9 percent during the month, while the Energy Index increased 13 percent. Electricity prices jumped 27.3 percent from April to May. Among food categories, oils and fats recorded the largest monthly increase at 7.1 percent, followed by fruit at 6.7 percent, meat and meat products at 5.6 percent, milk, cheese and eggs at 5.2 percent, and other food products at 4.9 percent.
The National Bureau of Statistics released the May CPI report on June 16. The CPI measures changes in the prices paid by households for a fixed basket of goods and services and is the country’s principal measure of inflation.