Slovakia Inflation Rate at 15-Month Low

Slovakia’s annual inflation rate eased to 3.5% in March 2026 from 3.7% in the previous month, slightly above market expectations of 3.4%. This marked the lowest reading since December 2024, driven largely by lower prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages (1.3% vs 2.7% in February), non-alcoholic beverages and tobacco (7.9% vs 10.6%), clothing and footwear (1.2% vs 1.8%), information and communication (0.9% vs 1%), recreation and culture (4.9% vs 6%), education (6.2% vs 6.9%), restaurants and hotels (5.8% vs 7.1%), and miscellaneous goods and services (2.9% vs 3.5%). On the other hand, costs increased for housing and utilities (6.3% vs 6%), health (4.8% vs 4.7%), and insurance and financial services (6.4% vs 6.3%), while prices recovered for transportation (2.1% vs -0.9%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices stood at 0.1%, unchanged from the previous month. Meanwhile, core inflation, which excludes goods with regulated prices, slowed to 1.9% from 2.4% in February.

Slovakia's annual inflation rate eased to 3.7% in February 2026, following a four-month high of 4.0% in the previous month. Price growth moderated for food and non-alcoholic beverages (2.7% vs 3.9% in January), housing and utilities (6.0% vs 6.1%), furnishings, household equipment, and routine household maintenance (0.9% vs 1.1%), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (2.6% vs 3.2%), clothing and footwear (1.8% vs 2.7%), insurance and financial services (6.3% vs 6.5%), and miscellaneous goods and services (3.5% vs 4.4%). Conversely, costs continued to increase for health (4.7% vs 4.6%), information and communication (1.0% vs 0.5%), recreation and culture (6.0% vs 5.9%), and education (6.9% vs 6.7%), while prices remained steady for restaurants and hotels (7.1%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.1%, easing from a three-year high of 1.8% in January. Meanwhile, core inflation, which excludes goods with regulated prices, slowed to 2.4% in February from 2.9% in the previous month.

Slovakia's annual inflation rate edged up to 4% in January 2026 from 3.8% in December, matching market expectations. It marked the highest reading since September 2025, driven primarily by a sharp acceleration in housing and utilities prices (6.1% vs 2.8% in December) amid regulatory measures, particularly significant increases in thermal energy prices (25%) and gas (6.7%). Overall inflation was also supported by higher costs for food and non-alcoholic beverages (3.9% vs 2.8%), particularly food prices (3%), as eight out of nine food categories recorded annual price growth exceeding 4%. In contrast, prices declined for transport (-1.8% vs 1.7%), mainly due to an over 8% drop in fuel costs and lower air transport fares. On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased 1.8% in January, rebounding from a 0.3% fall in the prior month and exceeding market expectations of 1.6%. Meanwhile, core inflation, which excludes regulated prices, eased slightly to 2.9% from 3% in December 2025.