Malawi Inflation Rate Hits 4-Month High

The annual inflation rate in Malawi eased for the third month to 24.9% in January 2026, the lowest since July 2022, compared to December's 26%. Food inflation slowed to 22.1% in January from 26.5% in December, while non-food inflation accelerated to 29.8% from 25.2% in the previous month. On a monthly basis, the CPI rose by 3.7%, after a 3% increase in the prior month.

The annual inflation rate in Malawi slowed to 26.0% in December 2025 from 27.9% in the previous month. This marked the lowest level since January 2023, as price pressures eased, particularly across food categories. Food inflation eased to 26.5% from 30.1% in the previous month. In contrast, non-food inflation rose to 25.2% from 24.2%, reflecting higher costs for housing, transport, and clothing. On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased 3.0% in December, following a 2.2% rise in each of the previous three months, marking the fastest monthly rise since February. For the full year of 2025, average inflation stood at 28.4% compared with 32.2% recorded in 2024.

The annual consumer price inflation rate in Malawi rose to 28.2% in August 2025, up from 27.3% in July, marking the highest level recorded in the past four months. This acceleration in inflation was broad-based, including both food and non-food categories. Food prices surged to 33.7%, up from 32.4% the previous month, reflecting continued pressures in the cost of essential goods, while non-food inflation edged higher to 19.5% from 19.3%. On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased by 2.7%, picking up from a 2.2% rise in July, and representing the fastest growth since February.