Poor households' 2019 inflation slows to 3.2%

The annual inflation rate for poor households in the Philippines slowed to an average of 3.2% in 2019, down from 7.2% in 2018.

Despite this improvement, December saw a spike in inflation to 2.6%, driven by high demand during the holiday season.

Price increases for housing and repairs, food, beverages, tobacco, fuel, light, and water were lower in 2019 compared to 2018, but services, clothing, and miscellaneous items saw higher price hikes.

In December alone, inflation rates for food, beverages, and tobacco rose by 2.5%, services by 3.1%, and fuel, light, and water by 3.2%.