Pakistan Bureau of Statistics reported that weekly inflation measured through the Sensitive Price Indicator declined by 0.33% for the week ending May 21, 2026, mainly due to falling prices of chicken, electricity charges, petrol and diesel. However, despite the weekly relief, annual inflation recorded through the SPI remained elevated at 14.47%, reflecting continued pressure on household budgets across the country.
The SPI monitors prices of 51 essential commodities across 50 markets in 17 cities and provides a snapshot of short-term inflation trends affecting different income groups. According to the latest data, chicken prices posted the largest weekly decline of 8.56%, while electricity charges for the lowest consumption quintile fell by 6.08% during the same period.
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In addition, prices of garlic declined 3.53%, pulse moong dropped 1.45%, while petrol and diesel each recorded a weekly reduction of 1.21%. Prices of LPG, pulse gram, bananas, eggs and pulse mash also moved lower, offering limited relief to consumers facing persistent increases in overall living costs and utility expenses across several essential categories.
However, several food items continued registering higher prices during the week as tomatoes increased by 7.17%, onions rose 6.08% and wheat flour climbed 1.84%. Furthermore, prices of potatoes, cooked daal, tea prepared, curd and cooking oil also recorded upward movement, highlighting continuing instability in essential commodity prices despite the overall weekly decline in the SPI index.
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On a yearly basis, onions recorded the steepest increase of 68.33%, followed by petrol at 62.24%, diesel at 60.90%, wheat flour at 59.45% and LPG at 50.73%. Electricity charges for lower-income households were also 43.30% higher than the corresponding week last year, while tomatoes, mutton, chilies powder, garlic and beef posted significant annual increases.
Meanwhile, some items showed notable annual declines as potato prices fell by 42.02%, eggs dropped 24.47%, pulse gram decreased 21.84% and chicken prices remained 21.79% lower compared to last year. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics further stated that weekly SPI declines were recorded across consumption groups, with the highest reduction of 0.36% observed in the fifth income quintile.