Rents in Antigua and Barbuda increased 2.5 percent in 2025 , continuing a gradual rise in housing costs that has added to affordability pressures for tenants, according to the latest Consumer Price Index released by the Statistics Division.
The CPI shows that the index for actual rentals for housing rose over the twelve months ending December 2025, contributing to an overall 3.1 percent year-on-year increase in inflation. Housing costs remain one of several expense categories steadily edging higher, even as headline inflation stayed relatively moderate.
On a month-to-month basis, rental costs rose 0.7 percent in December compared with November, indicating continued upward movement at the end of the year. The broader category of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels also recorded a 3.1 percent annual increase , reflecting rising costs linked to accommodation and utilities.
Utility-related pressures persisted during the year, with the electricity index increasing 8.9 percent year-on-year , according to the CPI breakdown.
The Statistics Division reported that inflationary pressures extended beyond housing. Transport services recorded a sharp 35.6 percent increase over the year, while education costs rose 13.3 percent and restaurant and hotel prices increased 5.1 percent.
Overall, consumer prices rose 1.9 percent in December alone , driven largely by higher food prices, airline fares and rental costs. The CPI measures average price changes for goods and services purchased by households and serves as the country’s primary indicator of inflation.
The December 2025 CPI was released on February 6 by the Statistics Division under the Ministry of Finance and Corporate Governance.