Antigua and Barbuda recorded an annual inflation rate of 3.1% in April 2026, but new data show that price increases were far from universal, with five of the country’s 12 major consumer spending categories actually becoming cheaper over the past year.
The latest Consumer Price Index report released by the National Bureau of Statistics found that while transportation, recreation, education and some food categories pushed overall inflation higher, several major household expenses moved in the opposite direction.
Among the categories posting annual declines was clothing and footwear, which recorded the largest drop at 4.4%. Miscellaneous goods and services also fell by 4.4% over the 12-month period ending in April.
Health-related costs declined by 2.3%, while housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels fell by 1.3%. Prices for alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics were down marginally by 0.2%.
The decline in housing-related costs was driven in part by lower electricity prices, which fell 1.8% compared with April 2025. Actual rental costs also dropped by 1.4% over the same period.
The findings illustrate a mixed inflation picture in Antigua and Barbuda, where increases in some sectors were substantial enough to outweigh declines elsewhere.
Transportation recorded the largest annual increase among the major spending categories, rising 18.8%. The increase was largely attributed to a 60.3% jump in transport services, driven by higher regional and international airline fares. Recreation and culture costs climbed 30.2%, while education increased 13.3% and restaurants and hotels rose 4.5%.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages, a category closely watched by consumers, increased by 1.2% over the year. However, the broader food category itself recorded a relatively modest increase of 0.3%, reflecting a combination of rising and falling prices across various products.
Several staple food items became less expensive over the year. Fruit prices fell 12.9%, while milk, cheese and eggs declined 6.5%. Meat and meat products dropped 5.2%, helping to keep overall food inflation low despite increases in vegetables and seafood.
The statistics office reported that five of the 12 main expenditure categories registered price decreases, while seven recorded increases. At the sub-group level, 12 categories posted increases, 10 declined and one remained unchanged.
Although inflation remained positive overall, the report suggests that many consumers may have experienced differing cost pressures depending on their spending patterns. Households that spend heavily on travel, recreation and education likely faced significantly higher expenses, while those whose budgets are concentrated on housing, health care and certain food products may have benefited from lower prices in those areas.
The April figures marked an acceleration from the 1.7% annual inflation rate recorded in March and represented the second consecutive month of rising year-on-year inflation.
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essential goods… as a retailer, it would make sense to lower prices on clorhing etc. to draw consumers.
YEAH, I GOT IT.
What a very misleading feature!
Wasn’t April the month when utility costs were frozen or amnesties given to bad payers due to the run-up to the General Elections?
Isn’t it any wonder that inflation figures have fallen due to the ABLP’S giveaways, freebies and inducements?
Watch and see our cost of living our bills and expenses rise in the coming months…
It’s really sad to see that the wars being waged around the world have created such turmoil. Who feels it? Not the people who are causing the wars that’s for sure.
@Brixtonian
You are always filled with such HATRED for the ABLP that you have become so toxic.
We KNOW why inflation has risen and will continue to rise (conflict in the middle east and the war between Russia and Ukraine are examples), but you act and will have us believe that we are living in a bubble and will remain unaffected. Around the world, everyone is crying out for the same thing…..increasing cost of living and inflation. Everyone is affected and governments around the world cannot afford to continue to buffer ALL of the increases.
Hated has consumed you, and your excuse of “love of country” is a sham and anyone who reads your posts will know it. All you do is spew hate and toxic vibes all because you HATE ABLP.
Brix I really think you need to introspect because I think that you have been totally blinded and consumed by hate.
@Consumed, you are showing your utter ignorance. What you ABLP sycophants call hate, I call it freedom of speech and my democratic right to criticise or praise any politicians.
I HAVE A RIGHT, I PAY MY TAXES!!!
People like you want me to stay silent on our costs of living rises; the delays in bringing prominent criminal cases to court; rising home invasions on our women and the elderly; the plethora of guns and drugs entering the country, and let’s not forget the attacks and death of children as well.
And YOU stay silent on ALL the above as well as these manipulated inflation figures?
You sound like you speaking/living from abroad.
You can’t be living here…
@Brix.
Continue to lick dem backside..bunch of fork-tongue swindlers running this country.
They continue to sound like the Nigerians for real,they are the best at telling a story that’s far from the truth and have the population believe them, the best.
Like I’ve said before, this man GB and his band of merry men have learned very well from such people..and it will be farfetched to think that this very PM wasn’t a student of Allen Sanford himself, one of the biggest Ponzi Schemers that ever lived, who set up camp right here in Antigua.
Remember the crypotonite for a crook/liar is the truth! When you speak it, he rolls up in a corner and cry foul.
The first thing Adam and Eve did was to hide themselves when they realized the truth about what they did.
Do not stop boss, you are doing fellow Antiguan’s a huge favor..stay strong.
“the only thing that’s necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men stand by and do nothing”.
It’s better to die/stand for something than to die/stand for nothing.
You have a conscience, and never apologize for it.
Remember..love also comes with correction, because if you hated these people like some claim, you will certainly most likely join them in their theivery.
Stay on course boss. Bless!
@Islanman26, much respect. 👍🏾
Dem na ready for me boss man. I can demolish dem ABLP acolytes and Gastonites quite easily and faster than a false Gassy Dread wig blowing off he head in a hurricane 🤣🤣🤣
A few hours ago I went to First Choice and then to Epicurean as I do every Saturday and maybe I’m either dumb, stupid or both but I have never experienced any savings at all, if some items go down by a few cents the majority of the others escalate by more than the others you get the savings on. Maybe someone can educate me as to how that translate into SAVING
Negritos fighting negritos…the sodom son and daughters was right…divide and conquer
@ Consumed
You are the one showing your utter ignorance.
First you anre totally misinformed about the causes of inflation.
You are more Consumed with @Brixtonian that bring informed.
So let me inform you. are absolutely wrong about inflation when you state that has risen and will continue to rise solely through conflict in the middle east and the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Traders in the US and Europe are making billions and helping to drive up the cost of petroleum yes! BUT US inflation was ignited by Covid when both Presidents Biden and Trump flooded the monetary supply and the dupply chain for all goods were disrupted. The interest rates were kept low to stop the economy from stalling.
As the economy bounced back, The Federal Reserve increase and kept interest rates high to dapper demand hoping to keep inflation down.
Trump introduced tarrifs that sent the price of goods sky high
Antigua and Barbuda like the rest of the Caribbean get most of its goods coming out of the US irrespective of their origin.
Guyana is the only food secure country in the world. We are a trading partner through CARICOM.
We do not have to be subjected to all of America inflation. Your idol Gaston Browne and his band of yes men are too stupid to do what’s necessary to make life more affordable for everyone.
Stop being as asshole and read from reputable sources before you hit the key board illustrating your ignorance and hating.
I’d be glad to provide you with a reading list