Consumer Price Index for Labour Analyzed
The Ministry of Labour & Employment, through its Labour Bureau, recently published data on how prices are changing for workers in the agricultural and rural sectors. This data, called the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers, gives us a snapshot of whether things are getting more or less expensive for people who work in farming and rural jobs. It’s important because it helps understand the economic situation for these important groups.
Key Points
- CPI AL & RL released, December 2025 data available.
- All-India indices decreased: AL 0.28, RL 0.27 points.
- Food index declined: AL 0.70, RL 0.70 points.
- Inflation rates: AL 0.04%, RL 0.11% year-on-year.
- Food inflation negative: AL -1.80%, RL -1.73%.
- Base year 2019=100, providing a crucial reference point.
December 2025 CPI Results
Specifically, for December 2025, the overall CPI for Agricultural Labourers went down by 0.28 points, landing at 137.12. Similarly, the CPI for Rural Labourers decreased by 0.27 points, reaching 137.03. These numbers show a slight cooling off in prices.
Food Price Changes
A significant part of the CPI is based on food prices. Both Agricultural Labourers (AL) and Rural Labourers (RL) saw the Food Index drop by 0.70 points during December 2025. This suggests that the cost of food, a major expense for these workers, has been reducing.
Inflation Rates Explained
The report also includes inflation rates, which measure the percentage change in prices over time. For Agricultural Labourers, the year-on-year inflation rate was a very small 0.04%, while Rural Labourers saw a slightly higher rate of 0.11% in December 2025. These rates are remarkably low, indicating stable prices.
Negative Food Inflation
Notably, the food inflation rates were actually negative, meaning that prices decreased by -1.80% for Agricultural Labourers and -1.73% for Rural Labourers. This is an unusual situation, potentially due to factors like seasonal harvests and increased supply.
Understanding these CPI trends provides crucial insights into the financial wellbeing of agricultural and rural laborers.
