FX.co ★ East Timor Inflation Eases in April

East Timor experienced a slight decline in its annual inflation rate, which decreased to 0.5% in April 2025, down from 0.8% in March. The growth in prices became more subdued for categories such as food and non-alcoholic beverages, slowing to 1.0% from 1.3% in March, and housing, which eased to 0.4% from 0.7%. Health costs remained unchanged, leveling off after a significant 3.0% rise the previous month. Meanwhile, deflation trends persisted in the transport sector, with prices dropping by 1.7%, compared to a 1.6% decline earlier, and in communication, which held steady at a 0.9% decrease. Prices for alcohol and tobacco faced a notable drop, declining by 1.4% after an earlier marginal increase of 0.1%. Conversely, there was an increase in costs for clothing and footwear, rising to 0.8% from 0.4%; furnishing, household equipment, and routine household maintenance went up to 0.8% from 0.5%; and recreation and culture increased to 0.6% from stability the previous month. Educational expenses remained consistent, marking a 0.4% growth without change. On a month-to-month basis, consumer prices saw a 0.1% uptick in April, representing a slowdown from the 0.8% rise observed in March.