Poland Inflation Eases Slightly in May

The annual inflation rate in Poland rose to 3.1% year-on-year in May 2026, slightly down from 3.2% in the previous month, in line with preliminary estimates. Price pressures eased in food and non-alcoholic beverages (0.5% vs 1.9% in April), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (6.4% vs 6.7%), and information and communication (4.5% vs 4.7%). At the same time, deflation persisted in clothing and footwear (-3.4% vs -2.8%) and in furnishings, household equipment and maintenance (-0.9% vs -0.8%). Meanwhile, prices continued to rise in housing and utilities (5% vs 4.8%), health (5.1% vs 5%), transport (5.6% vs 3.5%), recreation, sports and culture (5.6% vs 4.6%), and restaurants and hotels (4.5% vs 4.4%), while inflation remained steady in education at 6%, and in personal hygiene, social protection, and other goods and services at 1.7%. On a monthly basis, consumer prices fell 0.3% in May, reversing a 0.6% increase in the previous month and marking the lowest level since September 2023.

The annual inflation rate in Poland edged down to 3.1% year-on-year in May 2026 from 3.2% in the previous month, according to a preliminary estimate. Despite the slight slowdown, price pressures remained elevated across key categories. Electricity, gas, and other fuels rose 5% from a year earlier, while fuel and lubricants for private transport equipment surged 12.3%, amid ongoing geopolitical tensions linked to the Middle East conflict. Meanwhile, food and non-alcoholic beverage prices increased at a more moderate pace of 0.5%. On a monthly basis, consumer prices fell by 0.3% in May, marking the first month of decline in a year and reversing a 0.6% increase in the preceding period.

The annual inflation rate in Poland rose to 3.2% in April 2026 from 3% in the previous month, in line with initial estimates. This marked the highest reading since June last year, largely driven by faster increases in costs for housing and utilities (4.8% vs 4.3% in March), health (5% vs 4.7%), transport (3.5% vs 3.1%), and information and communication (4.7% vs 2.9%). At the same time, prices declined at a softer pace for clothing and footwear (-2.8% vs -3.2%) and furnishings, household equipment and maintenance (-0.8% vs -1.6%). On the other hand, inflation softened for food and non-alcoholic beverages (1.9% vs 2.1%) and recreation, sport and culture (4.6% vs 5.1%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices grew by 0.6% in April, slowing from a 1.1% gain in the preceding period.