Healthcare inflation in Nigeria has soared to 30.35 per cent year-on-year, deepening financial strain on households even as headline inflation shows signs of moderation, the latest Consumer Price Index report by the National Bureau of Statistics has revealed.
According to the January 2026 CPI report, overall inflation eased to 15.10 per cent from 15.15 per cent in December 2025 and was significantly lower than the 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025. However, medical costs — including drugs, hospital treatment, and other health services — continued to climb sharply.
Health Index More Than Doubles Headline Inflation
An analysis of the figures shows that the health index rose from 109.4 points in January 2025 to 142.6 points in January 2026, translating to a 30.35 per cent increase. In comparison, the all-items index increased from 110.7 points to 127.4 points within the same period, reflecting a 15.10 per cent annual inflation rate.
This indicates that healthcare inflation is more than double Nigeria’s headline rate, underscoring the disproportionate burden of rising medical expenses on families.
Throughout 2025, the health index maintained a steady upward trajectory — rising from 111.1 points in February to 135.3 points in August, before reaching 142.4 points in December and edging up further in January 2026.
Drug Prices, FX Pressure Drive Healthcare Costs
Despite broad-based moderation in food and core inflation — with food inflation slowing to 8.89 per cent year-on-year and core inflation declining to 17.72 per cent — health costs remained stubbornly high.
Stakeholders attribute persistent drug price hikes to delayed policy implementation, Nigeria’s reliance on imported pharmaceuticals, foreign exchange volatility, rising energy costs, and structural inefficiencies in the healthcare supply chain.
Public health experts warn that escalating out-of-pocket medical expenses are pushing more Nigerian families below the poverty line, forcing households to choose between essential healthcare and basic survival needs.
