In Madagascar, consumer prices for households increased by 10.8% between November 2021 and November 2022. A “ galloping inflation », say the economists of the National Institute of Statistics, which unfortunately did not seem to be compensated by the growth in the country, over this same period. A rise in prices that the population particularly feels in different areas.
With our correspondent in Antananarivo, Sarah Tetaud
+10.8% on consumer prices in one year. Rice, oil, gasoline, medicines, but also services, such as a haircut, a bus ticket, a surgical operation, or home insurance: in all, more than 600 products and services have been identified and their prices collected and compared to arrive at this statistic.
” Everything increased »
At the Analakely market, a mother commented on her purchases: ” You see, this bar of soap, last year it cost 4 000 Ariary. Now we pay her 8 500. Same for this can of condensed milk! Before, she was at 2 000 Ariary. Now its price has doubled too! Everything has increased. Few are able today to buy what they need. »
In another district of the capital, in front of a public college in the 3rd arrondissement, another head of family says: “ At the start of the 2021 school year, I did not pay any overheads because the president had announced the free of charge. Whereas in 2022 I had to pay 40 000 ariary for my son in 5th grade. And 35 000 ariary for my son in 3rd grade. It’s difficult because it adds significant expenses to our annual budget. ! »
Inflation driven by the rise in food products
+7.3% for health costs, +12.4% on food products, +20.8% for transport, +34.5% for household equipment and furniture. Some goods or services, such as telephone credits or water and electricity seem to have stagnated. Only, “these results should be analyzed according to their contribution to the household basket “, insists Michaël Rakotondradany, director of statistics of household living conditions, at the National Institute of Statistics (Instat).
He details this inflation of 10.8% in one year: “ Not all goods have increased, but it should be understood that the basket of Malagasy people is essentially made up of food products and non-alcoholic beverages: this contributes to 63.5% of this increase. So once it increases (these food prices, Editor’s note), it drives prices up. That’s why it’s really very high compared to the previous year. »
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Obtaining a stable inflation rate over several years and not an ups and downs as has been the case since 2018 and stimulating the country’s economic growth: this is what everyone is hoping for. The actions of the new Governor of the Central Bank are likely to be closely scrutinized in the coming months.