Freetown, 1st December 2025- Sierra Leone’s annual inflation rate dropped to 4.44 percent in October 2025, down from 5.36 percent in September, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report from Statistics Sierra Leone. While the headline figure suggests a cooling trend, deeper analysis reveals persistent price pressures in key household categories.
The food and non-alcoholic beverages category which carries the largest CPI weight at 40.30 percent was the leading driver of inflation. Its rate rose to 2.80 percent, up from 2.56 percent the previous month. A sharp 18 percentage point surge in non-alcoholic beverage prices was the most significant single contributor to the month’s inflation movement.
Households also faced rising costs in the housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels category, which holds an 8.90 percent weight. Inflation here climbed to 5.26 percent, a 0.67 percentage point increase from September’s 4.59 percent, adding substantial pressure to household budgets.
The transport sector, weighted at 8.60 percent, saw its inflation rate increase by 0.32 percentage points, reaching 1.53 percent year-on-year.
The most pronounced spike was recorded in the restaurants and hotels category, where inflation soared to 15.41 percent, up 0.76 percentage points from the previous month. With a 6.10 percent weight in the CPI, this category amplified overall inflationary pressures.
Despite these increases, declines in other CPI divisions helped offset the upward trends, resulting in the overall drop in headline inflation.
The October data presents a complex picture: while inflation is easing on the surface, essential goods and services, including food, utilities, and transport, continue to strain household finances. Policymakers may need to monitor these categories closely to ensure that the broader disinflation trend translates into real relief for consumers.
