Croatia Inflation Hits Highest Level Since 2023

The annual inflation rate in Croatia accelerated to 5.8% in April 2026 from 4.8% in the previous month, according to preliminary data. This marked the highest level since October 2023, driven largely by a sharp rise in energy costs, which surged 17.5% due to the conflict in the Middle East. Prices for food, beverages, and tobacco rose by 3.5%, while services increased by 8.2%. Meanwhile, prices for non-food industrial goods excluding energy fell by 0.6%. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose by 1.5% in April, the sharpest increase since September 2022, following a 1.4% advance in March.

Croatia’s inflation rate rose to 4.8% year-on-year in March 2026 from 3.8% in the previous month, marking the highest reading since October 2023. Prices rose for food and non-alcoholic beverages (3.3% vs 2.9% in February), housing and utilities (11.1% vs 10.2%), transport (7% vs 0.8%), and recreation and culture (4.4% vs 3.7%). Reports suggest that higher oil and petroleum prices are fueling inflationary pressures. At the same time, deflation eased in furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance (-0.3% vs -1%). Meanwhile, price growth slowed for alcoholic beverages (7.5% vs 7.7%), restaurants and hotels (6% vs 6.3%), and health (3.6% vs 3.8%). Inflation in information and communication also stood at 3.2%, and clothing and footwear prices fell by 2.4% after remaining stagnant in the prior month. On a monthly basis, consumer prices accelerated to 1.4% in March from 0.3% in February.

The annual inflation rate in Croatia rose to 4.8% in March 2026, up from 3.8% in the previous month, according to preliminary estimates. This marks the highest level since November 2023, as energy prices rose 11.3%, services rose 7.8%, food, beverages, and tobacco rose 3.9%, and non-food industrial goods without energy decreased 0.6%. On a monthly basis, prices are estimated to have risen 1.4%, up from 0.3% in the previous month, mainly due to a 5.0% rise in energy prices.