Ireland Harmonised Inflation Rate Inches Higher to 3.4%

The EU-standard harmonised inflation rate (HICP) in Ireland quickened to 3.4% year-on-year in August 2026 from a five-month low of 3.1% in July, according to preliminary estimates. The main upward pressure came from energy prices, which surged by 11.8%, after a 6.5% advance in the previous month. Meanwhile, services inflation remained steady at 3.7%, while food price growth slowed significantly to 0.1% from 0.8%. Excluding energy and unprocessed food, harmonised inflation moderated to 2.6%, down from 2.9% in the previous month. On a monthly basis, harmonised consumer prices rose by 0.6% in August, the most in five months, up from a 0.1% in the month before, propelled by energy costs (+4.3%).

The EU-standard Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices in Ireland rose 3.1% year-on-year in July 2026, easing from a 3.2% increase in the previous month and marking the lowest reading since February, according to preliminary estimates. The slowdown was driven by softer energy inflation, which decelerated to 6.5% from 10.0% in June. Meanwhile, the HICP excluding energy and unprocessed food accelerated to 2.9% from 2.5%, food price inflation edged up to 0.8% from 0.5%, and services inflation ticked higher to 3.7% from 3.6%. On a monthly basis, harmonised consumer prices were unchanged in July, following a 0.1% increase in the previous month.

The EU-harmonised inflation rate (HICP) in Ireland rose 3.2% year-on-year in June 2026, easing from 3.5% in the previous month and coming in slightly below the preliminary estimates of a 3.3% growth. The slowdown was mainly driven by softer energy price inflation, which eased to 10.0% from 11.9% in May. Additionally, food prices rose 0.5%, slowing from a downwardly revised 1.3% increase, while inflation for services and goods moderated to 3.6% and 2.8%, respectively, from 3.7% and 3.3%. Excluding energy and unprocessed food, harmonised inflation remained unchanged at 2.5% from the preceding period. On a monthly basis, the Irish HICP rose 0.3% in June, recovering from a 0.2% drop in May, matching preliminary estimates.