Philippines Inflation Rate at 11-Month High

The annual inflation rate in the Philippines rose to 2% in January 2026, exceeding both market forecasts and the previous month’s 1.8%. This also marked the highest reading since February, mainly driven by a sharp increase in housing and utility costs, which climbed to 3.3%, a fifteen-month high, from 2.5% in December. Prices also rose faster for furnishings, household equipment and maintenance (2.3% vs 1.9%), restaurants and accommodation services (4% vs 2.4%), and personal care, miscellaneous goods and services (2.6% vs 2.2%). In contrast, inflation softened for food and non-alcoholic beverages (1.1% vs 1.4%) and alcoholic beverages and tobacco (3.1% vs 3.3%), while transport costs declined for the first time in five months (-0.3% vs 0.3%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased by 0.8% in January, following a 0.9% gain in the preceding period. Core inflation, which excludes certain food and energy items, rose to 2.8%, the highest since July 2024, from 2.4% in December.