By FAY SIMMONS

Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

THE annual inflation rate is continuing to decline in figures reporting through to April this year.

According to the monthly Consumer Price Index for April, revealed by the Bahamas National Statistical Institute (BNSI), inflation decreased by 0.1 percent, continuing the downward trend seen in February and March.

“The monthly inflation rate in The Bahamas, which represents the overall change in price for 2025, decreased by 0.1 percent when compared to March 2025. This change is reflected in the overall price of items purchased by the average consumer during this period,” said the BNSI report.

“This April 2025 decrease followed a decrease between the months of February 2025 and March 2025.”

The report said major decreases were seen in food and non – alcoholic beverages, furnishings, household equipment and routine maintenance and health while increases were seen in restaurant and hotels.

Comparing to the same period last year, the CPI decreased by 0.4 percent reflected mainly in housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, recreation and culture and food and non-alcoholic beverages.

“On a month to month, basis, the major decreases, by Group, included Food and Non-Alcoholic beverages 0.8 percent, Furnishing, Household Equipment and routine household maintenance 0.6 percent along with Health 0.1 percent. Meanwhile, the major group that increased was Restaurant and Hotels by 0.1 percent,” said the BNSI report.

“Furthermore, for April 2025, the CPI decreased 0.4 percent when compared to this same period last year. The major categories that registered decreases included Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels 3.5 percent, Recreation and Culture 2.7 percent, along with Food and Non-Alcoholic beverages 1.7 percent, when compared to this same period last year.”

The BNSI also noted that gasoline prices for the month increased by 0.7 percent while diesel declined by 0.8 percent, both fuels saw a reduction when compared to last year’s numbers.

“Furthermore, for the month of April 2025, gasoline recorded an increase of 0.7 percent while diesel declined 0.8 percent. However, when compared to this same period last year, both diesel and gasoline decreased 5.5 percent and 4.8 percent respectively,” said the BNSI report.