Consumer prices rose by 3.4% in the 12 months to July, figures show
Consumer prices rose by 3.4% in the 12 months to July, according to figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
The CSO say that this 3.4% increase was the same level of year on year inflation that was recorded in June 2026.
The areas that saw the largest increases in the last 12 months were education services at +8.9%, clothing and footwear at +8.5%, housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels +7.7% and insurance and financial services at +5.5%.
Across all divisions, there was no recorded decline when compared with July 2025, and this was the first time this has happened since December 2021.
The areas that saw the highest increases in July were recreation, sport and culture at +2.7%, and housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels at +0.8%.
Edel Flannery, Senior statistician in the Prices Division of the CSO, said: “Today’s release of the CPI shows that prices for consumer goods and services in July 2026 rose by 3.4% on average when compared with July 2025.
“The most significant increases in the 12 months to July 2026 were seen in Education Services (+8.9%) and Clothing & Footwear (+8.5%). The annual change in Education Services reflects a rise in costs associated with third-level education which came into effect from October 2025. The rise in Clothing & Footwear was due to higher costs for garments, shoes and other footwear. No division recorded an overall decline in prices when compared with July 2025.
“Consumer prices in July 2026 rose by 0.1% in the month. During July 2025, prices also increased by 0.1% in the month. In July 2026, the most significant monthly increases were in Recreation, Sport & Culture (+2.7%) and Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (+0.8%). The rise in Recreation, Sport & Culture prices was primarily due to higher costs for package holidays. Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels rose mainly due to higher costs for electricity and mortgage interest. This was partially offset by a decrease in the cost of home heating oil. The largest monthly decreases were in Clothing & Footwear (-5.1%) and Transport (-0.9%).”