Inflation rate climbs to 6.2 percent in April

Inflation in Maldives rose to 6.2 percent in April, making it the highest recorded monthly rate so far this year, according to data released by the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA).

This marks a steady upward trend, following 5.9 percent in March and 5.5 percent at the start of the year in January.

The main contributors to this increase were rising costs in housing, water, electricity, and fuel, which collectively rose by 10.1 percent in April. This is a significant jump of 7.5 percent compared to the previous month. The price of fish also saw a notable rise, increasing by 1.9 percent from March, which had a direct impact on household expenses.

Food inflation rose to 5.8 percent in April, also reflecting a 1.9 percent month-on-month increase. One of the most significant figures was restaurant inflation, which reached 33 percent, indicating a sharp rise in the cost of dining out.

In comparison, inflation during the same month last year stood at just 1.3 percent. The previous peak was in December 2024, when inflation hit 5.6 percent.

With the average inflation for the first four months of 2025 now at 5.8 percent, it reflects mounting economic pressure on consumers due to higher utility and food prices.