New official data from Antigua and Barbuda’s statistical authorities has revealed a sustained upward trend in housing-related costs through July 2026, with steep jumps in utility prices outpacing even notable rental growth to squeeze household budgets across the island nation.
The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, published by the country’s National Bureau of Statistics, shows that the Actual Rentals for Housing index rose by 2% over the 12-month period ending in July 2026. This rental growth was part of a much larger increase across the full housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels category, which notched a 7.6% year-on-year surge by mid-2026.
What stands out most in the new data is the dramatic gap between rental growth and the escalation of essential utility costs. Over the same 12-month window, the electricity price index skyrocketed by 42.9%, while the broader energy index recorded a 20.6% annual increase. The Statistics Division emphasized that these hikes carry outsized weight for local households, as housing and utility services count among the most non-negotiable monthly expenses for all residents.
These housing-related price jumps are not an isolated trend, but rather a key contributor to a broader nationwide rise in consumer prices. Headline inflation across Antigua and Barbuda hit 4.4% in July 2026, and core inflation – which strips out volatile food and energy prices to measure underlying price growth – reached 4.1% over the same period.
Taken together, the figures paint a clear picture of uneven cost pressure on Antigua and Barbuda’s households: while rental growth has remained relatively moderate, skyrocketing electricity and energy costs have created substantial financial strain for consumers across the country.