In February 2026 the Consumer Price Index increased by 0.2 percent compared to the previous month, while the annual inflation rate amounted to 4.6 percent. With regard to the annual core inflation1 , the prices increased by 2.7 percent, while the annual core inflation without tobacco2 amounted to 2.4 percent.
The monthly inflation rate was mainly influenced by price changes for the following groups:
Transport: the prices for the group increased by 1.5 percent, contributing 0.18 percentage points to the overall index. Within the group the prices increased for transport services (5.5 percent), operation of personal transport equipment (1.2 percent);
Miscellaneous goods and services: the prices for the group increased by 2.9 percent, contributing 0.15 percentage points to the overall index. Within the group, the prices were higher mainly for the following subgroups: personal effects n.e.c. (17.9 percent), personal care (0.8 percent);
Alcoholic beverages and tobacco: the prices increased by 1.3 percent, contributing 0.08 percentage points to the overall monthly inflation rate. Within the group, the prices were higher for both alcoholic beverages (2.2 percent) and tobacco (0.7 percent);
Food and non-alcoholic beverages: the prices for the group decreased by 0.3 percent, contributing -0.13 percentage points to the overall monthly inflation rate. The prices decreased for the following subgroups: milk, cheese and eggs (-3.5 percent), sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and confectionery (-3.2 percent), coffee, tea and cocoa (-2.7 percent), oils and fats (-0.9 percent), bread and cereals (-0.5 percent). At the same time, prices increased for vegetables (4.6 percent), mineral waters, soft drinks, fruit and vegetable juices (3.1 percent), fish (1.9 percent), fruit and grapes (1.6 percent), meat (0.6 percent).
The annual inflation rate was mainly influenced by price changes for the following groups:
Food and non-alcoholic beverages: the prices in the group increased by 9.5 percent, contributing 3.2 percentage points to the overall annual inflation rate. Within the group the prices increased for the following subgroups: fish (23.1 percent), bread and cereals (13.8 percent), fruit and grapes (13.3 percent), vegetables (10.2 percent), meat (9.6 percent), sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and confectionery (9.4 percent), oils and fats (7.1 percent), coffee, tea and cocoa (5.9 percent), mineral waters, soft drinks, fruit and vegetable juices (5.3 percent), milk, cheese and eggs (5.3 percent);
Health: the prices increased by 5.9 percent, contributing 0.5 percentage points to the overall index. The prices were higher for the following subgroups: medical products, appliances and equipment (8.1 percent), out-patient services (5.6 percent), hospital services (1.7 percent);
Miscellaneous goods and services: the prices for the group increased by 9.8 percent, contributing 0.48 percentage points to the overall index. Within the group, the prices were higher mainly for the following subgroups: personal effects n.e.c. (57.8 percent), insurance (8.5 percent), personal care (4.5 percent);
Alcoholic beverages and tobacco: the prices increased by 4.3 percent, with the relevant contribution of 0.28 percentage points to the overall annual inflation rate. The prices increased for both tobacco (7.1 percent) and alcoholic beverages (1.4 percent).
