Belarus posts inflation of 4.5% in Jan-May, annual inflation in May accelerates to 7.1%

MINSK. June 10 (Interfax) - Consumer prices in Belarus increased 0.7% in May 2025 after accelerating 1% in April and 0.8% in March, according to data from the National Statistical Committee, Belstat.

Inflation in January-May was 4.5%, exceeding the government's plan for consumer price growth for the period by 1.5 percentage points.

Annual inflation in May accelerated to 7.1% from 6.5% in April and 5.9% in March compared to May last year.

Core inflation in May was 3.9% compared to December and 0.9% compared to April, excluding regulated and seasonal prices.

Prices for groceries increased 5.5% in January-May compared to December, 1.2% in May, and 2.4% (0.2%) for non-groceries, while services increased 5.4% (0.3%).

Belarus saw inflation decelerate to 5.2% in 2024 from 5.8% in 2023 and 12.8% in 2022. The authorities have planned to reduce inflation to at least 5% in 2025.

Belarus retains state regulation on prices for nearly all goods in the consumer basket, as well as for basic services.

The Ministry of Anti-monopoly Regulation and Trade (MART) of Belarus has previously determined the monthly indicators of the permissible level of inflation in 2025 via regulatory act. The document stipulates that inflation must not exceed 3% according to the results of January-May. Furthermore, the permissible inflation level is set at 3.3% for the first half of the year, 3.7% in January-September, and 5% by the end of the year.