The monthly inflation rate inched 1.8 percent up in October to stand at 200.9 points against 197.4 points in September, the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) said.

CAPMAS said - in a bulletin a copy of which MENA obtained on Thursday - the annual inflation rate went up to stand at 14 percent in October 2016 compared to the same month last year.

Prices of food and beverages increased by 1.9 percent in October compared with September. 

Prices have increased by 14.5 percent on annual basis compared with the previous year.

Urban consumer inflation rate ratcheted up by 1.7 percent in October to register 195.8 points compared to 192.5 points in September. The annual inflation rate increased by 13.6 percent in 2016 compared to last year. 

In rural areas, inflation recorded a rise of 1.9 percent in October to reach 207 points against 203.1 points in September. While, the annual inflation rate upped by 14.6 percent in October 2016 compared to the same month in 2015.