Croatia Inflation Rate Eases in May

The inflation rate in Croatia rose 5.2% year-on-year in May 2026, easing from 5.8% in the previous month, according to preliminary data. Energy costs surged 16.9%, largely driven by the prolonged conflict in the Middle East. Prices for food, beverages, and tobacco increased 2.3%, while services inflation accelerated to 7.9%. In contrast, prices for non-food industrial goods excluding energy fell 0.7%. On a monthly basis, consumer prices declined 0.2% in May, the first decrease since December 2025, following a 1.6% increase in the previous month.

The inflation rate in Croatia advanced by 5.8% year-on-year in April 2026 from 4.8% in the previous month, matching preliminary estimates. Prices increased for alcoholic beverages and tobacco (7.6% vs 7.5% in March), housing and utilities (12.1% vs 11.1%), health (4.2% vs 3.6%), transportation (13.1% vs 7%), information and communication (3.3% vs 3.2%), restaurants and hotels (6.2% vs 6%), insurance and financial services (3.7% vs 2.9%), and miscellaneous goods and services (4.6% vs 3.7%). Additionally, costs recovered for furnishings and household equipment (0.3% vs -0.3%). Meanwhile, prices declined further for clothing and footwear (-3.1% vs -2.4%) and education (-1.7% vs -1.6%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices grew by 1.6% in April, following a 1.4% rise in the preceding period.

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.