Irish Inflation Hits Almost 2-Year High

The EU-standard Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) in Ireland rose 3.6% year-on-year in April 2026, unchanged from the previous month, according to preliminary estimates. Energy prices, however, accelerated to 15.5% from 12.3% in March, reflecting upward pressures mainly linked to recent developments in the Middle East. In contrast, food price inflation moderated slightly, rising 2% compared with 2.3% in the previous month, while services also edged down to 2.9% from 3.3%. Excluding energy and unprocessed food, harmonised inflation is estimated to have edged down to 2.3% from 2.6%. On a monthly basis, harmonised consumer prices edged up 0.4% in March, down from 1.8% in the preceding period.

The EU-standard harmonized index of consumer prices (HICP) in Ireland rose by 3.6% year-on-year in March 2026, accelerating from 2.5% in February, according to preliminary estimates. This marks the highest reading since October 2023, as energy prices surged by 12.3%, up from an increase of 0.1% in the previous month, influenced by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The Central Statistical Office notes that these prices were collected before government measures on energy costs were introduced, which include a cut to fuel excise duty. Food prices are estimated to rise by 2.3% and services by 3.3%. Excluding energy and unprocessed food, harmonised inflation is estimated to have risen to 2.6%, up from 2.4% in February.

Ireland’s Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) rose by 3.2% year-on-year in November 2025, accelerating from 2.8% in the previous month, according to preliminary estimates. This marked the highest reading since December 2023, mainly driven by higher costs of energy, rising 3.3%, and food products, increasing 4.2%. Excluding energy and unprocessed food, the HICP rose by 3.0%, indicating continued underlying inflation pressures. On a monthly basis, harmonized consumer prices fell by 0.2% in November, reversing the 0.4% increase recorded in October.