Israel's Consumer Price Index Rises 0.3% in July, Annual Inflation Hits 1.5%

Israel's Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 0.3% in July, contributing to a 1.5% rise in inflation over the past 12 months, according to data released by the Central Bureau of Statistics on Friday. Housing prices rose by 0.1% when comparing transactions from May-June to April-May, though on an annual basis, housing prices actually declined by 1.5% over the last year.

Regionally, the largest monthly housing price increases occurred in the Jerusalem district (1.8%) and Haifa district (1.5%). The Northern district saw a 0.9% rise, while the Central district experienced a 1% decrease. Both Tel Aviv and the Southern district recorded price drops of 0.7%. Rent prices for tenants renewing leases rose by 2.6%, and for new tenants, rents increased by 4.7%. These rent changes approximate annual shifts, as most tenants remain under fixed lease agreements without rent adjustments.

Significant price increases were noted in transportation (up 1.4%), culture and entertainment (up 1.1%), and housing costs (up 0.7%). Conversely, notable price declines occurred in clothing and footwear (down 4.6%), fresh fruits and vegetables (down 3.5%), furniture and home equipment (down 0.7%), and miscellaneous items (down 0.4%).