Argentina’s inflation rate for February was 2.9%, according to a report by the government’s statistics agency, INDEC — the same as January.
February marked the ninth consecutive month that the inflation rate has not gone down.
Prices increased 33.1% interannually, and the economic sector with the largest monthly jump was in housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, with a 6.8% jump. It was followed by food and non-alcoholic beverages, and miscellaneous goods and services, which increased 3.3% each.
In the first two months of the year, accumulated inflation was 5.9%.
Inflation and the way it is measured are hot topics in Argentina. Last month, the INDEC planned to change the methodology to calculate inflation. The current one uses a basket of goods and services stemming from a nationwide survey made in 2004, and the bureau aimed to replace it with a 2017-2018 study.
However, Economy Minister Luis Caputo said he and President Javier Milei did not agree with the modification, saying the new index would only be implemented “once the disinflation process is fully consolidated.” The head of the INDEC, Marco Lavagna, resigned over the disagreement.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.