The figure, based on the urban Consumer Price Index (CPI) used as the country's benchmark for monetary policy, remained broadly stable month-on-month, increasing by 0.2 percent compared to October.
The latest CPI release shows that while general inflation pressures have eased compared to earlier in the year, price increases remain uneven across key sectors. Health services recorded the steepest rise, surging by 70.9 percent year-on-year, while restaurants and hotels also saw significant increases, rising by 19.4 percent.
Food-related inflation showed a mixed picture. Although overall food and non-alcoholic beverages rose by a modest 1.4 percent, specific items placed notable upward pressure on households. Meat prices increased by 18.4 percent, while bread and cereals rose by 12.8 percent. However, these gains were partially offset by a sharp 10.1 percent decline in vegetable prices, contributing to a softer food inflation outlook.
Energy and import-related pressures continued to shape inflation dynamics. The energy index rose by 12.4 percent, reflecting higher costs for fuel, electricity, gas and other household fuels. Imported goods inflation stood at 10.2 percent, substantially higher than the 6.2 percent increase for locally produced goods.
Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels increased by 7.7 percent, while transport inflation reached 9.3 percent.
Core inflation, which excludes fresh food and energy and is closely watched by policymakers as an indicator of underlying price trends, rose by 9 percent year-on-year.
At the national level, which combines urban and rural indices, the overall CPI rose by 4.1 percent, reflecting significantly lower rural inflation of 2 percent. The rural index even registered a monthly decline of 0.3 percent as fresh food prices continued to ease.
The annual average inflation rate between November 2024 and November 2025 stood at 6.9 percent, slightly below the headline monthly figure. Policymakers are expected to assess the latest data against macroeconomic conditions as they consider future adjustments to the monetary policy stance.
NISR collects more than 40,000 price observations nationwide every month for the CPI, covering 1,622 goods and services across urban and rural markets.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/business-62/article/rwanda-s-inflation-rises-to-7-2-in-november
