Ireland annual harmonised inflation eases to 2.4% in February - CSO

Ireland’s annual inflation rate eased slightly in February, according to a flash estimate from the Central Statistics Office, while prices rose at a faster pace on the month.

The harmonised index of consumer prices for Ireland, which allows for EU-wide comparison, is estimated to have increased by 2.4% in the 12 months to February 2026, down from 2.5% in the year to January. On a monthly basis, prices rose 0.7% from January.

The annual rate compares with a 1.7% increase in the eurozone in the 12 months to January. Eurostat will publish its flash estimate for euro area inflation for February on Tuesday.

Core inflation in Ireland, which excludes energy and unprocessed food, was estimated at 2.4% on an annual basis in February. Excluding energy alone, prices were up 2.6% year-on-year.

Energy prices rose 0.4% in the month and were up just 0.1% compared with February 2025. Food prices increased 0.1% on the month and were 3.4% higher on the year.

Services inflation remained elevated, rising 0.8% in February and standing 3.3% higher than a year earlier.

Overall HICP excluding energy, food, alcohol and tobacco rose 1.0% in the month and was up 2.5% compared with February 2025.

Final HICP results are published alongside Ireland’s Consumer Price Index for February on March 12. Final eurozone figures for February are due from Eurostat on March 18.

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