Malaysia Inflation Rate Hits 14-Month High

2026-04-17 04:08 By Farida Husna 1 min. read

The annual inflation rate in Malaysia accelerated to 1.7% in March 2026 from 1.4% in the prior month, marking the highest reading since January 2025 and aligning with market estimates.

Upward price pressures came from most components, including alcoholic beverages and tobacco (2.7% vs 2.6% in February), housing (1.2% vs 1.1%), health (1.4% vs 1.2%), information and communication (1.4% vs 0.5%), education (2.5% vs 2.8%), restaurants and accommodation services (2.6% vs 2.5%), and personal care & miscellaneous goods & services (7.0% vs 6.9%).

Meanwhile, food prices increased 1.1%, the least in six years, after a 1.3% gain in February.

Cost of furnishings and household maintenance was muted (0.1% vs 0.2%), while clothing prices edged lower.

Core inflation, which excludes volatile fresh food and administered prices, edged up to 2.1% from February's six-month low of 2.0%.

Monthly, consumer prices rose 0.3%, following a 0.2% gain in February and indicating the fastest pace in three months.



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