Pakistan October Inflation Eases to 9.6 Per Cent
Pakistan October inflation eased to 9.6 per cent in October 2026, down from 10.3 per cent in September, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) said on Monday, November 2. The slowdown in perishable food prices drove the fall, and it marked the second straight month of easing after a sharp rise in August.
The annual rate in August had jumped to 11.1 per cent from 9.2 per cent in July, when higher food and energy prices pushed prices up. October reversed part of that move, but prices still rose 1.1 per cent from September to October. A year earlier, in October 2025, annual inflation stood at 6.2 per cent.
Average inflation for July to October stood at 10.05 per cent, compared with 4.79 per cent in the same four months last year. That four-month average shows why households still feel pressure even as the monthly rate falls: prices sit well above last year’s level.
Pakistan October inflation: city and village figures
The easing reached both urban and rural areas. Urban inflation edged down to 9.8 per cent in October from 10.5 per cent in September. Rural inflation fell to 9.5 per cent from 10.1 per cent.
Food inflation slowed in both areas. Urban food inflation dropped to 7.8 per cent in October from 8.1 per cent in September. Rural food inflation fell more sharply, to 7.1 per cent from 7.7 per cent.
Non-food inflation also eased on the year. Urban non-food inflation stood at 10.6 per cent, down from 11.5 per cent in September. Rural non-food inflation fell to 12.3 per cent from 13.1 per cent. Rural households still face the higher non-food rate, which covers housing, transport and other services.
The October reading fell inside the Ministry of Finance projection of 9.5 per cent to 10.5 per cent for the month, set out in its Monthly Economic Update and Outlook for October. The ministry said easing headline inflation offers some relief, and improved crop supplies can help ease food price pressures further.
What still rose in October
Food prices slowed, but energy and transport costs kept climbing. Electricity charges increased by 8.50 per cent from September to October. Transport prices rose by 30.39 per cent in urban areas over the year.
At the national level, transport costs rose 1.79 per cent during October from the previous month and stood 28.61 per cent higher than in October last year. Housing, water, electricity, gas and fuels rose 0.25 per cent during the month and 11.03 per cent on the year.
Core inflation, which strips out volatile food and energy prices, also eased. Urban core inflation stood at 7.8 per cent in October, down from 8.6 per cent in September. The rural core rate fell to 7.1 per cent from 8.1 per cent. The core figures suggest underlying price pressure softened, even though electricity and transport still bite.
For households, the split matters: a slower food bill helps weekly shopping, but transport and power costs hit commuting and home budgets at the same time.
What happens next
The next test comes with the November reading and winter fuel and gas demand. If crop supplies stay steady, food inflation may ease further, but rising energy costs would offset part of that gain. The four-month average remains above 10 per cent, so one month of easing does not change the picture, though two straight months of decline give policymakers more room than after the August spike.
Related Feature Pakistan coverage includes Karachi flour prices, the highest in Pakistan and the PSX October fall of 3,560 points.
Frequently asked questions
What was Pakistan October inflation in 2026?
Pakistan October inflation stood at 9.6 per cent on the year in October 2026, down from 10.3 per cent in September, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
Why did inflation fall in October?
The fall came mainly from a slowdown in perishable food prices. Urban food inflation fell to 7.8 per cent and rural food inflation to 7.1 per cent.
Did prices fall in October?
No. Prices still rose 1.1 per cent from September to October. The annual rate fell because prices rose more slowly than they did a year earlier.
What was average inflation for July to October?
Average inflation for July to October 2026 stood at 10.05 per cent, compared with 4.79 per cent in the same period last year.
Which costs still rose sharply?
Electricity charges rose 8.50 per cent in the month, and transport costs stood 28.61 per cent higher than in October last year at the national level.
