{
  "id": 16756759,
  "title": "Building inflation increases to 5.1% in September 2026, but cement inflation stood at -6.1%",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/building-inflation-increases-to-5-1-in-september-2026-but-cement-16756759",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-27T13:31:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Joy Business",
    "slug": "joy-business",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/building-inflation-increases-to-5-1-in-september-2026-but-cement-inflation-stood-at-6-1/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In September 2026, the year-on-year inflation rate for Prime Building Cost Index (PBCI) rose to 5.1%, a slight increase from 4.6% in August 2026. Despite this rise, building inflation remained comparatively low, according to the Ghana Statistical Service. The primary driver of the September inflation was the 19.1% increase in plant and equipment costs.\n\nAt the group level, the Labour group inflation rate decreased to -3.2% in September 2026 from -2.9% in August 2026. The Material group saw a year-on-year inflation rate of 6.5% in September 2026, up from 5.8% in August 2026. Meanwhile, the Plant group recorded a notable 19.1% increase in inflation, up from 17.9% in August 2026.\n\nSub-group-wise, Reinforcement showed the highest year-on-year inflation rate of 29.0%, while Steel experienced the lowest at -8.8%. Fourteen sub-groups out of the 23 reported inflation rates above the national average of 5.1%. Over the year, the inflation rate had nearly halved but increased since March 2026.\n\nFor households, the cost of structural inputs had decreased compared to a year ago, with cement inflation at -6.1% and steel at -8.8%. However, finishing and installation inputs cost more, with plumbing up by 27.5%, glazing by 20.6%, and tiles by 9.2%. As a result, overall building costs were 5.1% higher in September 2026 compared to September 2025.",
  "summary": "The year-on-year inflation rate of the Prime Building Cost Index (PBCI) was 5.1% in September 2026, up from 4.6% in August 2026. The monthly change rate for September 2026 was 0.03%. According to the Ghana Statistical Service, building inflation remains low, despite an increase in September 2026. The drivers of the September inflation were plant […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}