As economists feared, inflation rose again in June. Preliminary figures from the General Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show that consumer prices rose an average of 2.0 percent last month compared to May 2025. On an annualized basis, inflation now stands at 8.0 percent. The rising exchange rate has further reinforced this trend, which is clearly felt in citizens' wallets.
The price hikes affect almost all sectors, but health care and food services stand out in particular. In Paramaribo and Wanica, the cost of medical and paramedical services rose by a whopping 18 percent within a single month. Compared to June of last year, the increase even comes to 40.9 percent. Food is also getting more expensive: prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages went up by an average of 2.0 percent in June. Products such as butter, oils and fats became 3.3 percent more expensive, while fruits and vegetables showed a 7.8 percent price increase.
In addition, spending on housing, utilities, transportation, clothing and footwear also increased significantly in June, with increases all around 1.7 to 1.8 percent. This wider spread of price increases indicates inflation is beginning to settle deeper into the economy.
The overall consumer price index (CPI) for June came in at 879.3, up sharply from 861.7 points in May. According to the ABS, the 316 goods and services that make up the index show wide variations: in June, price changes ranged from minus 36 percent to plus 162 percent. Over the past two years, this difference even ran to a minimum of minus 66 percent and a maximum of plus 459 percent.
It is striking that these inflation figures relate only to Paramaribo and Wanica. No measurements are taken in districts such as Marowijne, Brokopondo and Sipaliwini, but it is common knowledge that prices are considerably higher there, partly due to logistical challenges. So the actual pressure on household budgets in the interior is presumably even greater.
These new figures underscore the importance of targeted measures to protect purchasing power and curb price driving. In particular, the sharp rise in medical costs is a signal that should not be ignored. Without action, inflation threatens not only economic stability but also social cohesion.
