The Maldives recorded a modest decline in monthly inflation in October 2025, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) falling by 0.17 percent compared with September, according to the latest release from the Maldives Bureau of Statistics. The drop follows a 0.09 percent decrease the previous month, reflecting continued easing in several major expenditure categories.
Food and beverages were the primary drivers of the month-on-month decline, falling by 0.63 percent. The sharpest price reductions came from fruits such as oranges, apples and watermelons, along with decreases in the prices of carrots, onions, ginger and eggs. While most food prices fell, fish prices moved in the opposite direction, rising by 1.47 percent, supported by increases in the cost of reef fish and tuna.
Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels also contributed to the decline, dropping by 0.40 percent compared with September. The fall was driven mainly by lower electricity unit prices and reduced repair labour costs. This was partially offset by a slight increase in water service charges.
Other categories showing declines included clothing and footwear, recreation and culture, and education services. Air transport costs fell by 1.37 percent, contributing to the slight drop in overall transport prices. Meanwhile, the recreation category fell by 0.62 percent, largely due to lower prices for pet-related goods and toys.
Some categories, however, registered increases. Furnishing and household equipment rose by 0.58 percent, driven by higher prices for items such as beds and bedroom sets. Information and communication increased by 0.45 percent due to higher mobile phone prices and mobile service charges. Restaurants and accommodation services edged up by 0.19 percent. Personal care and miscellaneous goods also saw a slight rise.
Tobacco and areca nut prices continued their steep upward trend, increasing by 0.23 percent for the month and showing an annual rise of 108.73 percent. Year-on-year inflation remained elevated at 3.86 percent for the country overall. Malé recorded a 3.49 percent increase over the year, while the atolls experienced a higher rise at 4.44 percent.
Regionally, inflation declined more sharply in the atolls than in Malé. Prices in the atolls fell by 0.35 percent month-on-month, mainly due to a decline in electricity unit prices and repair labour costs. Malé recorded a smaller decline of 0.05 percent, driven mainly by lower food prices.
The CPI excluding fish fell by 0.26 percent nationwide, signalling that much of the month’s inflation movement was shaped by volatility in the fish category. On an annual basis, food and beverages excluding fish rose by 3.12 percent, while fish alone increased by 7.38 percent.
The October data suggests continued easing in headline inflation, though price pressures remain uneven across categories. With year-on-year inflation still above 3 percent and significant variation between regions, households continue to experience differing levels of cost pressure depending on consumption patterns.
