Egypt's annual urban inflation rate eased to 13.9 per cent in September, down from 14.5 per cent in August, according to data from the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics reported by Daily News Egypt. The Central Bank of Egypt's separate core inflation measure, which strips out some volatile items, also slowed, easing to 14.1 per cent in September from 14.9 per cent in August, according to see.news.
CAPMAS, Egypt's state statistics agency, compiles the monthly urban consumer price index from a basket of goods and services bought by households in Egypt's cities, while the central bank's core measure strips out a subset of the most volatile prices to track underlying trends separately.
Both annual measures eased in September even though prices rose faster from one month to the next than they had in August. Daily News Egypt reported that the monthly urban inflation rate was 1.3 per cent in September, up from just 0.1 per cent in August, while see.news reported the central bank's monthly core inflation rate at 0.8 per cent for the month.
What pushed prices up in September
Vegetables were the single biggest driver of September's monthly price rise, up 15.1 per cent on the month, according to Daily News Egypt's breakdown of the CAPMAS data. Meat and poultry prices rose 2.5 per cent, fruit climbed 2.6 per cent and fish and seafood increased 1.2 per cent. Outside food, furnishings and household equipment rose 1.1 per cent, clothing-related services increased 1.8 per cent and fabrics rose 1.7 per cent, the outlet reported. Taken together, the breakdown shows price pressure in September came from a broad mix of food and non-food categories, even as the annual rate continued to ease.
What the central bank said
The Central Bank of Egypt has revised down its inflation outlook, saying recent inflation developments have been more favourable than previously expected, Daily News Egypt reported. According to the outlet, the bank said the lower forecasts would reinforce monetary conditions it described as sufficiently restrictive, while warning that the balance of risks to the outlook remained tilted to the upside because of renewed regional hostilities.
At its most recent meeting, on 24 September, the Monetary Policy Committee held its key rates unchanged, keeping the overnight deposit rate at 19.00 per cent, the overnight lending rate at 20.00 per cent, and the main operation and discount rates at 19.50 per cent, according to Sharjah 24. The committee said that decision reflected its assessment of "the latest inflation developments and outlook, as well as changes in the balance of risks surrounding it."
The committee is next scheduled to meet on Thursday, 29 October, to decide whether to adjust those rates, according to a market report from Rio Times. September's inflation figures, published after the September meeting, will be among the data available to the committee when it meets.
What it means for households and businesses
For households, the breakdown of September's price moves shows grocery bills remained under pressure even as the annual inflation rate eased: vegetables, a staple of the Egyptian diet, rose sharply on the month, alongside meat, poultry, fruit and fish, according to the CAPMAS figures reported by Daily News Egypt. In practice, that means prices are still rising for most everyday items, just more slowly than they were against last September, which is what the annual figures measure.
For businesses and borrowers, the continued easing in both the annual headline and core inflation readings adds to what the Central Bank will weigh at its 29 October meeting, where it has held rates steady in recent sittings, according to Rio Times' market reporting and the bank's own published statement. Egypt's benchmark EGX30 stock index and the pound have both shown recent volatility: the index closed at 53,553.41 points on 5 October, down 0.66 per cent on the day, while the pound traded at about 52.34 to the US dollar, Rio Times reported. Egyptian investors, who the outlet said account for roughly 86 per cent of exchange turnover, were net buyers even as foreign funds pulled back.
see.news framed the easing core and headline readings together as a sign of moderation in Egypt's annual inflation picture. The central bank's own statement was more guarded, cautioning that risks to the outlook remain tilted to the upside, a sign officials are not yet declaring the fight against inflation over.
Frequently asked questions
What is Egypt's current inflation rate?
Egypt's annual urban inflation rate eased to 13.9 per cent in September 2026, down from 14.5 per cent in August, according to CAPMAS data reported by Daily News Egypt.
What is core inflation and how does it differ from headline inflation?
Core inflation strips out some of the most volatile prices to give a clearer read on underlying price trends. The Central Bank of Egypt's core inflation measure eased to 14.1 per cent in September from 14.9 per cent in August, according to see.news, compared with the 13.9 per cent headline urban rate reported by Daily News Egypt for the same month.
When does Egypt's central bank next decide on interest rates?
The Monetary Policy Committee is next due to meet on Thursday, 29 October 2026, according to Rio Times' market reporting.
Which foods got more expensive in September?
Vegetables rose 15.1 per cent on the month, the largest single driver of September's price increase, followed by fruit (up 2.6 per cent), meat and poultry (up 2.5 per cent) and fish and seafood (up 1.2 per cent), according to CAPMAS data reported by Daily News Egypt.
