Palestinian Statistics Announce Cost of Living Index for February

SadaNews - The return of consumer goods prices to rise in the Gaza Strip during February 2026 due to the state of instability in the sector's markets.

The consumer price index in the Gaza Strip recorded an increase of 37.92% during February 2026 compared to January 2026, while the index recorded a rise of 0.39% in Jerusalem J1* and a slight increase of 0.02% in the West Bank**, pushing the overall consumer price index to register an increase of 12.02% in Palestine.

The consumer price index rose by 12.02% in Palestine during February 2026 compared to January 2026, due to the increase in the prices of imported cigarettes by 161.75%, fresh chicken prices by 9.51%, egg prices by 7.59%, fresh meat prices by 4.13%, and rice prices by 4.01%, with the main reason being the rise in the prices of these goods in the Gaza Strip.

When comparing prices in February 2026 with February 2025, data indicates an increase in the consumer price index in Palestine by 11.61% (with an increase of 31.32% in the Gaza Strip, 2.84% in Jerusalem J1*, and 1.71% in the West Bank**).

Prices of the following goods have significantly increased in the Gaza Strip, averaging; Manchester cigarettes at 450 shekels/pack of 20 cigarettes, Basmati rice at 8 shekels/kg, eggs at 30 shekels/2 kg, zucchini at 11 shekels/kg, eggplant at 9 shekels/kg, greenhouse cucumbers at 8 shekels/kg, frozen veal at 41 shekels/kg, potatoes at 4 shekels/kg, chicken at 24 shekels/kg, and flour at 34 shekels/25 kg.

Increase in Cost of Living Index in Jerusalem J1*:

The consumer price index in Jerusalem J1* recorded an increase of 0.39% during February 2026 compared to January 2026, due to the rise in the prices of dried vegetables by 18.15%, fresh chicken prices by 9.74%, fresh meat prices by 6.92%, fresh fruits prices by 1.93%, and rice prices by 1.39%.

The prices of the following goods increased in Jerusalem J1* to average: dry onions at 3 shekels/kg, dry garlic at 25 shekels/kg, chicken at 25 shekels/kg, lamb with bone at 127 shekels/kg, veal at 83 shekels/kg, oranges at 4 shekels/kg, bananas at 9 shekels/kg, pomegranates at 14 shekels/kg, and short grain rice at 167 shekels/25 kg.

Slight increase in Cost of Living Index in the West Bank**:

The consumer price index in the West Bank** recorded a slight increase of 0.02% during February 2026 compared to January 2026, attributed to the rise in fresh chicken prices by 13.01%, fresh meat prices by 2.39%, liquid fuel prices used for cars "diesel" by 2.15%, dried vegetables by 1.98%, gas prices by 1.74%, and imported cigarettes by 1.34%. Despite the decline in the prices of fresh vegetables by 18.27%, potatoes by 12.17%, fresh fruits by 2.94%, and rice by 1.23%.

Prices of the following goods increased in the West Bank** to average; chicken at 18 shekels/kg, lamb with bone at 96 shekels/kg, veal at 69 shekels/kg, diesel at 5.69 shekels/liter, dry onions at 3 shekels/kg, gas cylinder at 75 shekels/cylinder of 12 kg, Marlboro cigarettes at 32 shekels/pack of 20 cigarettes, and Winston cigarettes at 29 shekels/pack of 20 cigarettes. Meanwhile, prices of the following goods decreased to average; plastic house tomatoes at 5 shekels/kg, cauliflower and potatoes at 4 shekels/kg each, lemons at 3 shekels/kg, and short grain rice at 156 shekels/25 kg.