Inflation quickened to 1.8 percent in December, largely driven by higher food prices, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Tuesday.
The December rate was faster than November’s 1.5 percent but stayed within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) forecast range of 1.2 to 2 percent.
For the full year of 2025, average inflation slowed to 1.7 percent, lower than the 3.2 percent recorded in 2024 and below the BSP’s target range of 2 to 4 percent.
Food and non-alcoholic beverage prices quickened by 1.4 percent in December, contributing nearly all of the upward pressure on consumer prices.
Other items in the consumer basket showed minimal change, indicating stable costs outside the food sector.
Economists said the moderate quickening suggests inflationary pressures remain manageable, with the central bank continuing to monitor trends heading into 2026.