At the end of January 2025, consumer prices fell by 0.2% compared to the previous month, marking the first monthly decline since January 2024, while inflation calculated on average over the last twelve months stands at 4.5%. This month-on-month decline is mainly due to lower food prices and transport costs. Compared to December 2024, household consumer prices fell by 0.2%, following a 0.6% increase in the previous month. This decline is mainly attributable to a 0.5% decrease in food prices and a 0.3% decrease in transportation costs. At the same time, prices for clothing and footwear and for the leisure and culture category also trended downwards, contributing to the decline in the overall price level. On the other hand, the prices of the components “furniture, household and household goods”, “housing, water, gas, electricity and other fuels” as well as those of restaurants and hotels recorded increases of 0.3%, 0.2% and 0.3% respectively. The costs of communications, education and health remained virtually unchanged.
The decline in food prices was mainly due to lower prices for fresh vegetables, particularly fruit and root vegetables such as onions, as well as leafy vegetables. This trend is reinforced by lower prices for fruit, meat and seafood, which have also helped to ease inflationary pressures. Year-on-year, inflation reached 5.3% in January 2025, up from 5.0% in December 2024. Since its acceleration in September 2024, inflation on an annual basis has continued to rise, suggesting a possible change in trajectory to be monitored in the coming months. If this dynamic continues, it could lead to a gradual increase in annual average inflation. On average over the last twelve months, the inflation rate has been 4.5%, exceeding the 3% threshold set by the CEMAC, inflation largely due to the 5.9% increase in food prices and 11.8% in transport costs, two essential items of expenditure for households.
