Ireland Harmonised Inflation Edged Down to 3.5%

The EU-standard Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) in Ireland rose by 3.5% year-on-year in May 2026, easing slightly from a 3.6% rise in April, according to preliminary estimates. Energy inflation is estimated to have eased to 11.9% from 15.5% in the previous month. Food inflation also softened, slowing to 1.4% from 2.0%. In contrast, services inflation accelerated to 3.7% from 3.3%. Excluding energy and unprocessed food inflation is is estimated to have edged up to 2.7% from 2.6% in April. On a monthly basis, harmonised consumer prices fell 0.1% in May, reversing the 0.5% increase in the previous month.

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.