From bell peppers to ride-hailing apps, and including coffee, fruits, and services, a range of products and activities put pressure on the wallets of Brazilian consumers between January and November 2025.
Amid this scenario, residential electricity bills appear among the 20 sub-items that have risen the most in the IPCA (National Consumer Price Index), the country's main official inflation indicator.
According to data gathered by Canal Solar According to IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) – which monitors more than 370 sub-items in the calculation of the index – the electricity bill occupies the 16th position in the ranking of the largest accumulated increases in the year, with an advance of 15,08%.
Although it doesn't top the list, the adjustment exceeds the average inflation for the year and is noteworthy for its recurring impact on family budgets. Among the sub-items that registered the most significant increases in the IPCA this year are food products and specific services, many of which are strongly influenced by seasonal or regional factors.
The price of bell peppers, for example, accumulated an increase of 40,99%, while cucumbers rose 25,99%. In the services group, ride-hailing services increased by 37,16%, and physiotherapy appointments became 23,81% more expensive.
Weight of the electricity bill
Although some of these products show variations greater than those of residential electricity, the impact on the budget is not limited to the percentage increase, but also to the frequency and scope of consumption.
This is because, according to the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics), unlike food items with more occasional consumption or prices subject to seasonal fluctuations, the electricity bill is a fixed and recurring expense, present in practically all Brazilian households.
Another point of concern is the so-called cascading effect, since the increase in energy tariffs not only directly affects the end consumer, but also increases the cost of commercial, industrial and service operations, putting pressure on prices throughout the economic chain.
This effect helps explain why, even when electricity is not among the absolute leaders in the increase of the IPCA (Brazilian Consumer Price Index), it continues to be identified as one of the most socially and economically sensitive factors within the index.
Below are the 20 products and activities that most impacted Brazilians' wallets between January and November, according to IBGE:
- Bell pepper - 40,99%
- transport by application - 37,16%
- Ground coffee - 36,00%
- Painted fish - 31,28%
- Manga - 28,85%
- Cucumber - 25,99%
- Chocolate bars and bonbons - 25,24%
- Jewels - 24,70%
- Physiotherapist - 23,81%
- Instant coffee - 22,66%
- Chocolate and chocolate powder - 18,93%
- Melon - 18,09%
- Sweet potato - 17,71%
- Coffee - 16,70%
- Jogos of chance - 15,17%
- Residential electricity - 15,08%
- Coconut milk - 14,91%
- Codfish - 13,27%
- Accomodation - 13,12%
- Zucchini - 12,86%
all the content of Canal Solar is protected by copyright law, and partial or total reproduction of this site in any medium is expressly prohibited. If you are interested in collaborating or reusing part of our material, please contact us by email: redacao@canalsolar.com.br.
