Kazakhstan: Bathhouses Feel the Heat as Inflation Rises

Prices in Kazakhstan keep climbing, with the sharpest increases seen in paid services, and bathhouse fans are feeling it most, Orda.kz reports.

According to the Bureau of National Statistics, the cost of visiting a bathhouse has risen by 5%. Beauty salons saw prices increase by 2.6%, while cafes and restaurants raised prices by 2%. Other notable increases include internet access, movie tickets, and sanatorium services, all up by 3–4%.

The food market hasn’t escaped inflation either. Prices for cabbage, onions, carrots, and beets have surged by 9–20%. Potatoes, lemons, and grapes also went up. But there’s a silver lining: cucumbers, tomatoes, oatmeal, oranges, and eggs became cheaper in April.

On an annual basis, inflation stands at 10.7%, with prices rising across all categories, particularly in paid services, where increases topped 15%.

Original Author: Alina Pak