Chief statistician Uzir Mahidin said the increase in inflation in March 2025 was driven by a slower increase in the group of personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods and services at 3.6% versus 3.7% in February 2025.

“This is followed by restaurant and accommodation services at 2.9% (February 2025: 3.5%); housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels at 1.9% (February 2025: 2.3%); alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 0.8% (February 2025: 0.9%) and furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance at 0.2% (February 2025: 0.3%),” he said in a statement.

Uzir said that inflation for education (2.2%) and recreation, sport and culture (1.7%) recorded a higher increase compared to February 2025.

“Meanwhile, food and beverages (2.5%), insurance and financial services (1.5%), health (1.0%) and transport (0.7%) increased at the same rate as recorded in the previous month.

“Information and communication, and clothing and footwear remained in negative territory, registering -5.4% and -0.2% respectively,” he said.