Tunisia’s annual inflation rate accelerated for the first time in three months to 5.4% in August 2026, up from July’s four-month low of 5.1%.
Official data from the National Institute of Statistics (INS) confirms this marks the highest consumer price reading since May. Food and non-alcoholic beverages led the increase, rising to 7.5%.
Essential proteins and produce primarily drove the sub-index higher. Poultry, sheep meat, beef, fruit, and fresh fish recorded sharp, fast-paced price spikes throughout the month.
Additional upward momentum came from transportation, which edged up to 2.1%, alongside healthcare rising to 3.4%. Restaurants and hotels experienced a minor uptick to 6.6%.
Conversely, clothing and footwear provided slight disinflationary relief, easing to 9.0% from 9.1% in July. Core inflation trends remain closely watched amid lingering import cost pressures.
The inflation rebound follows months of cautious monetary policy. The Central Bank of Tunisia held its benchmark interest rate at 7.0% in late July to anchor inflation expectations.
Policymakers face ongoing pressure from high energy import costs and foreign exchange reserves covering roughly 92 days of imports. The latest acceleration may compel a prolonged monetary pause.
