Montenegro Inflation Rate at 15-Month High

The annual inflation rate in Montenegro edged up to 4.6% in August 2025 from 4.5% in the previous month. This marked the highest reading since May 2025, mainly due to higher costs for food and non-alcoholic beverages (5.5% vs 5.2% in July), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (6.1% vs 5.8%), housing and utilities (7.2% vs 6.9%), and health (13.1% vs 12.8%). In addition, prices recovered for transportation (0.5% vs -0.3%), while costs fell at a softer pace for clothing and footwear (-3.3% vs -3.4%). Meanwhile, prices moderated for furnishings, household & equipment, and routine household maintenance (3.7% vs 4.3%) and miscellaneous goods and services (4.2% vs 5.3%). Costs also fell for communication (-0.1% vs 1.5%), whereas prices remained unchanged for recreation and culture (8.2%) and education (0.9%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices grew by 0.5% in August, slowing from 0.6% in the preceding month.