Sierra Leone has recorded a notable easing in inflationary pressures for June 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by Statistics Sierra Leone.

The report highlights a 0.26% month-on-month decline in consumer prices, reversing the 0.05% increase observed in May and marking a rare instance of deflation in the national economy.

Annual inflation also saw a continued downward trajectory, falling to 7.10% in June from 7.55% in May. This marks the third consecutive month of single-digit inflation, following a prolonged period of double-digit price growth that had placed significant strain on households.

A key driver behind this easing is the fall in food and non-alcoholic beverage prices, which constitute the largest component of the CPI. This category recorded a 0.71% month-on-month decrease, contributing significantly to the overall reduction in consumer price growth. Food inflation, in particular, has reached its lowest level in five years, easing the cost-of-living burden for many Sierra Leoneans.

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Non-food categories also showed signs of price moderation. Monthly declines were recorded across several sectors including housing, utilities, alcoholic beverages, communications, and restaurants. Prices for clothing and footwear, which had previously remained resistant to change, also began to stabilize.

Inflationary cooling was observed across all five regions of the country. The Eastern Region reported the lowest annual inflation rate at 3.82%, followed by the North-West (4.22%) and Southern Region (5.77%). Although the Western Area and Northern Region remained above the national average at 8.94% and 8.84% respectively, they too showed notable decreases compared to May figures.

Month-on-month regional data further supported the overall trend. The Eastern Region saw the sharpest price drop at 1.20%, while the Western Area recorded a 0.38% decline. The Northern Region, which had experienced a steep 4.76% rise in May, showed a significantly lower increase of 0.18% in June. The North-West Region posted a modest 0.57% uptick after a 1.35% decline the previous month.

These figures indicate a broad-based and regionally consistent retreat in inflation, reflecting the impact of ongoing monetary and fiscal policies. Core inflation indicators also showed signs of deceleration, suggesting that the slowdown is not confined to food prices alone.

While the outlook presents cautious optimism, questions remain about the sustainability of this trend amid ongoing global and domestic challenges. Nevertheless, the June CPI report points to improving price stability and may be seen as an encouraging sign for both policymakers and consumers alike.