Inflation in Buenos Aires City was 2.3% in April and has accumulated a year-on-year increase of 52.4%.
According to a report released by the Buenos Aires Statistics Office, the Consumer Price Index ( CPI ) rose 2.3% in April , down from 3.2% in March. With this figure, the first four months of the year totaled 11.1% , while year-on-year inflation reached 52.4% .
The slowdown, however, was accompanied by a recurring pattern: services—regulated or not—continue to adjust . Housing was once again among the most impacted sectors, with a 2.4% increase in rent and general expenses, directly impacting the overall index. In parallel, health care climbed another 2.4% , driven by increases in prepaid medical insurance. The same occurred with food and beverages , which increased by 2.6% and remained among the hottest segments of the month.
April saw uneven performance in food. While meat rose 5% and dairy 3.8% , fruits fell 3.2% and vegetables fell 4.6% . This trend helped moderate the overall impact of the sector, which closed with a 2.2% increase, but with a strong internal dispersion. So far this year, food has accumulated an 11.9% increase , and a 39.4% year-over-year increase .
Transportation also played a role. With a 2.6% increase, driven by increases in fuel, parking, and fares, it was another segment that contributed most to April's inflation. Clothing, tobacco, personal care, and education also registered increases, although with a lesser overall impact.
Among the products surveyed, the report shows prices that do not go unnoticed. A liter of whole milk averaged $1,498 , a kilo of buttocks was $15,011 , and a women's haircut reached $14,597 , while a men's haircut was close to $12,000 . The list includes shampoo over $6,000 and deodorant for more than $3,200 .
The data also showed the contrast between different types of prices. Core inflation , which excludes seasonal and regulated goods, reached 3% in April, above the general index. In contrast, regulated prices rose just 1.5% , and seasonal prices fell 1.1% , mainly due to the decline in tourism and fresh food.
Thus, while the most volatile prices moderated their weight, the rest of the index continued to reflect a high cost structure, especially in services, which have not slowed down since last year.
This difference was also evident when comparing the performance of goods and services. The former rose 2.2% in April, while services increased by 2.4% . So far this year, goods have accumulated an increase of 8.8% , but services have already climbed to 12.6% . In year-on-year terms, the gap is even greater: 35.1% versus 65.4% .
In monthly terms, the numbers are declining: 3.1% in January , 2.1% in February , 3.2% in March , and 2.3% in April . The comparison with the same period last year is stark: in April 2023, inflation was 7.8% in the City alone .
But beyond the relief reflected in the payrolls, the real burden of services—especially in housing, healthcare, and everyday consumption—again casts doubt on whether the slowdown is enough to make a difference. The numbers are down. The effort, not so much.
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