German Inflation Rate Confirmed at 2.1%

Germany’s annual inflation rate rose to 2.1% in January 2026 from 1.8% in December, confirming preliminary estimates. The latest reading moved slightly above the European Central Bank’s 2% target midpoint, mainly driven by higher costs for consumer goods (1.3% vs 0.8%), led by food (1%), and a rebound in durable goods (0.4% vs -0.3%). In contrast, services inflation moderated to 3.2% from 3.5% in December, although it remained at an above-average rate. Prices for services provided by social institutions (7.1%) increased particularly sharply, alongside combined passenger transport (6.2%), partly due to a price increase for the Deutschlandticket (Germany Ticket) from EUR 58 to EUR 63. On a monthly basis, consumer prices edged up 0.1% after stagnating in December. The core inflation rate, which excludes food and energy, ticked up to 2.5% from 2.4%. Meanwhile, the EU-harmonized CPI also increased slightly to 2.1% from 2.0%, confirming earlier estimates.

Germany’s annual inflation rate rose to 2.1% in January 2026, up from December’s 15-month low of 1.8% and slightly above market expectations of 2.0%, according to a preliminary estimate. The harmonized index of consumer prices (HICP), the measure closely watched by the ECB, also increased to 2.1%, leaving both readings near the central bank’s 2% target. Goods inflation accelerated to 1.0% from 0.4%, largely reflecting a sharp rise in food prices (2.1% vs 0.8%). This came despite a deeper decline in energy costs (-1.7% vs -1.3%). Meanwhile, services inflation eased to 3.2% from 3.5%, offering some relief on underlying price pressures. Core inflation, which strips out food and energy, ticked up to 2.5% from 2.4%, after hitting its lowest level in more than four years in December.

Germany’s annual inflation rate fell to 1.8% in December 2025, matching flash estimates and down from 2.3% in November. The reading fell below the European Central Bank’s 2% target midpoint for the first time since September 2024, marking the lowest inflation rate in 15 months. Goods inflation eased sharply, slowing to 0.4% from 1.1% in November, due to softer increases in food prices (0.8% vs 1.2%) and a deeper decline in energy prices (-1.3% vs -0.1%), led by lower prices for heating oil (-3.6%) and electricity (-1.8%). In contrast, services inflation remained elevated and unchanged at 3.5%, driven by sharp increases in passenger transport (11.4%) and social services (7.7%). Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, fell to 2.4%, its lowest level since June 2021. Meanwhile, the EU-harmonized CPI eased to 2.0% in December, its lowest level since July. For the full year 2025, national inflation averaged 2.2%, while harmonized inflation averaged 2.3%.