Taiwan’s annual inflation rate rose to 2.2% in May 2026, up from 1.74% in April, reaching its highest level since March 2025. The acceleration was largely attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has pushed up global crude oil and natural gas prices, intensifying inflationary pressures in Taiwan’s energy-dependent economy.
Price increases quickened across several categories, including food (1.36% vs. 0.58% in April), transport and communication (4.00% vs. 2.66%), clothing (1.01% vs. 0.81%), and education and entertainment (3.03% vs. 2.44%). Housing inflation remained steady at 2.06%. By contrast, price growth eased for health (0.70% vs. 1.03%) and for miscellaneous goods and services (2.44% vs. 2.48%).
On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, consumer price growth slowed to 0.19% in May from a downwardly revised 0.46% in April. Over the first five months of the year, consumer prices were up 1.52% compared with the same period a year earlier.
