Muscat: The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures show a modest rise in overall inflation, with the personal goods and miscellaneous services group recording the sharpest increase at 7.45 percent, followed by the transportation group at 3.12 percent, and the restaurants and hotels group at 1.39 percent.

Other sectors saw moderate increases, including health (0.76%), clothing and footwear (0.6%), education (0.07%), and housing, utilities, and fuel (0.02%).

On the flip side, food and non-alcoholic beverages saw a 0.59 percent price drop, led by significant decreases in vegetables (-8.06%), fish and seafood (-3.84%), fruits (-0.45%), and non-alcoholic drinks (-0.19%).

Despite the overall dip in the food category, some subgroups experienced price hikes, such as miscellaneous food products (+3.83%), sugar and sweets (+3.31%), and milk, cheese, and eggs (+1.84%).

Regionally, Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate recorded the highest inflation rate at 1.76%, followed by Ad Dhahirah (1.57%), and South Al Sharqiyah (1.4%). Muscat Governorate aligned with the national average at 0.82%. The lowest inflation was observed in South Al Batinah (0.1%), while North Al Sharqiyah registered a slight deflation of 0.01%.