Ethiopia’s annual inflation rate climbed to 13.4 percent in May 2026, reversing recent gains in easing price pressures as food costs continued to rise, according to data released by the Ethiopian Statistical Service (ESS) on Monday.
The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures showed inflation increased from 11.7 percent in April, with food prices driving much of the acceleration for a third consecutive month.
The increase comes after headline inflation had dropped to 9.4 percent in March, raising hopes that Ethiopia could return to single-digit inflation after years of elevated consumer prices.
Although May’s inflation rate remained below the 14.4 percent recorded in the same month in 2025, the latest figures indicate renewed pressure on household budgets as prices continue to climb.
Month-on-month inflation reached 1.7 percent in May, compared with 0.2 percent in May last year, suggesting that the recent increase reflects fresh price rises rather than only the impact of previous high inflation levels.
Food inflation, a key concern for Ethiopian consumers, rose to 15 percent year on year. Several essential food categories recorded significant increases, including non-alcoholic beverages and coffee, which surged 40.9 percent.
Prices of sugar, jam, honey and chocolate increased by 36.9 percent, while meat prices rose 19.5 percent. Milk, cheese and eggs climbed 19.3 percent, oils and fats increased 17.4 percent, and fruit prices rose 17.1 percent.
Non-food inflation also contributed to the upward trend. Transport costs increased 17.1 percent, while miscellaneous goods and services rose 17.9 percent. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco prices gained 14.6 percent, and clothing and footwear increased 13.2 percent.
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The rise in inflation presents a challenge for Ethiopia’s efforts to stabilise the economy after years of pressure linked to conflict, the COVID-19 pandemic and global commodity price shocks.
While inflation had shown signs of easing earlier in the year, the May data suggests that progress remains vulnerable, particularly as food prices continue to put pressure on consumers across the country.
