The Extended National Consumer Price Index 15 (IPCA-15) was -0.14% in August, standing 0.47 percentage points (p.p.) below the July´s figure (0.33%).

In the year, the IPCA-15 accumulated a rise of 3.26% and, in 12 months, of 4.95%, below the rate of 5.30% registered in the 12 immediately previous months. In August 2024, the IPCA-15 had been 0.19%.

In addition to Communication (-0.17% and -0.01 p.p.), the three groups with the highest weight in the index had a drop in their prices between July and August: Housing (-1,13% and -0.17 p.p.), Food and beverages  (-0.53% and -0.12 p.p.) and Transportation (-0.47% and -0.10 p.p.). The other groups ranged from 0.03% of Household articles to 1.09% of Personal expenses.

The drop registered in the group of Housing (-1.13%) came from the contribution of -0.20 p.p. from residential electricity, which retreated 4.93% in August due to the incorporation of the Itaipu bonus, credited in the bills issued in August. It is noteworthy that, in August, the red tariff flag level 2 is in force, which adds R$7.87 to the electricity fare per 100 kWh consumed.

In addition, residential electricity also reflects the following fare adjustments: 4.25% in Belém (-6.47%), since August 7; 13.97% in one of the concessionaires in São Paulo (-0.88%), in force since July 4; 1.97% in Curitiba (-6.19%), in force since June 24; 14.19% in one of the concessionaires in Porto Alegre (-8.38%), in force since June 19; and a 2.16% reduction in one of the concessionaires in Rio de Janeiro (-6.49%) since June 17.

Also in Housing, water and sewage fees (0.29%) includes the adjustment of 4.97% in Salvador (4.64%), in force since July 18. Piped gas (0.17%) considers the adjustment of 6.41% in the fare in Curitiba (2.99%) since August 1st and the 1.22% reduction in Rio de Janeiro (-0.57%) since August 1st.

The group of Food and beverages (-0.53%) registered a drop in the average prices for the third consecutive month, with food at home retreating 1.02% in August. The drops in mango (-20.99%), potatoes (-18.77%), onion (-13.83%), tomatoes (-7.71%), rice (-3.12%) and meat (-0.94%) contributed to that result.

On the other hand, food away from home rose 0.71%in August, due to the rises in snacks (1.44%) and meals (0.40%).

The group of Transportation went from 0.67% in July to a 0.47% drop in August. The group result was driven by the drops in airfare (-2.59%.), new cars (-1.32%) and gasoline (-1.14%). In the group of fuels (-1.18%), diesel fuel (-0.20%), vehicular gas (-0.25%) and ethanol (-1.98%) retreated as well.

Also note the reflection of the gratuity granted on Sundays and holidays in subway (0.19%) in Brasília (2.80%), and in urban bus (0.49%) in Brasília (2.80%) and Belém (6.68%), in addition to the reduction of the fare on Sundays and holidays in Curitiba (2.94%). Additionally, taxi (0.63%) incorporated the average adjustment of 24.53% in the fare in Belém (2.46%) since August 12, and of 12.37% in the fare in São Paulo (1.65%) since August 11.

In the group of Personal expenses (1.09%), the adjustment in games of chance (11.45%), in force since July 9, stood out.

The group of Education changed 0.78% in August, with the incorporation of the adjustments in regular courses (0.80%), mainly due to sub-items higher education (1.24%) and primary school (0.68%). The rise in other courses (0.93%) was influenced by language courses (1.85%).

In Health and personal care (0.64%), the biggest contributions came from items personal hygiene (1.07% and 0.04 p.p.) and health insurance plans (0.51% and 0.02 p.p.), which reflected the incorporation of adjustments authorized by the National Regulatory Agency for Private Health Insurance and Plans (ANS). In the case of plans hired after Law No. 9,656/98, the percentage was up to 6.06%, valid from May 2025 and whose cycle ends in April 2026. For plans contracted before Law No. 9,656/98, authorized percentages were 6.47% and 7.16%, depending on the plan.

Regarding regional indexes, the highest change was recorded in São Paulo (0.13%), the only area with a positive change, due to the rises in regular courses (1.14%) and personal hygiene (1.33%). The lowest result occurred in Belém (-0.61%), which registered a drop in electricity (-6.47%) and gasoline (-2.75%).

In order to estimate the IPCA-15, the prices were collected from July 16 to August 14 (reference) and compared with the ones in force from June 14 to July 15 (base). The indicator refers to households with monthly income of 1 to 40 minimum wages and it encompasses the metropolitan areas of Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre, Belo Horizonte, Recife, São Paulo, Belém, Fortaleza, Salvador, Curitiba, besides Brasília and the municipality of Goiânia. The methodology is the same as the one used for the IPCA; the difference lies in the period of price collection and in the geographic coverage.