Inflation

The (annual average) inflation rate in the Asia-Pacific region has been hovering between 3% and 4% since its spike (6.6%) in 2008 due to global food and fuel price hikes.1 However, there are considerable variations among subregions and countries. South and South-West Asia is the most inflation-prone subregion. India’s annual inflation rate rose to around 11% in 2013 after dropping from a peak of 12% in 2010. On the other hand, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have been successful in bringing their average annual inflation rates down from double-digit to single-digit levels — Sri Lanka from 22.6% (2008) to 6.9% (2013), Pakistan from 20.3% (2008) to 7.7% (2013) and Bangladesh from 10.7% (2011) to 7.5% (2013).

Related Subject(s): Population and Demography