Malaysia Inflation Rate Unexpectedly Hits 4-Year Low

2025-04-23 04:13 By Farida Husna 1 min. read

Malaysia's annual inflation rate edged down to 1.4% in March 2025 from 1.5% in the prior month, marking the lowest print since February 2021 and falling short of market forecasts of 1.6%.

Cost eased for alcoholic beverages (0.8% vs 0.9% in February), housing (1.9% vs 2.3%), furnishing, household maintenance (0.2% vs 0.3%), restaurants (2.9% vs 3.5%), and miscellaneous items (3.6% vs 3.7%).

At the same time, prices fell further for clothing (-0.2% vs -0.2%) and communication (-5.4% vs -5.3%).

By contrast, inflation was stable for transport (at 0.7%) and health (at 1.0%) while food inflation remained at a three-month low (at 2.5%).

Meanwhile, prices accelerated for recreation (1.7% vs 1.5%) and education (2.2% vs 1.9%).

Core consumer prices, excluding volatile fresh food items and administered costs, rose 1.9% yoy, holding steady for the second month while staying at the steepest pace in six months.

Monthly, consumer prices were flat, after the fastest rise in a year of 0.4% in February.



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