Inflation Ireland 2026
Average inflation: 3.4%
Inflation in 2026
Inflation is high at 3.4%, well above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in September at 4.1%. The lowest inflation was in January at 2.7%.
- Highest month
- September: 4.1%
- Lowest month
- January: 2.7%
- Difference
- 1.4 percentage points
- Months with data
- 9 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Education with an average of 8.9%. The lowest price increase was in Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance with an average of -0.3%.
- Highest increase
- Education: 8.9%
- Lowest increase
- Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance: -0.3%
Historical Context
Inflation is 1.0 percentage points lower than the 5-year average of 4.4%.
- 5-year average
- 4.4%
- 10-year average
- 2.6%
- All-time high (2022)
- 7.8%
- All-time low (2009)
- -4.4%
Trend
Over the period 2024-2026, inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 2025, inflation has risen by 1.2 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- +1.2 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- May: +1.9 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 1.4 percentage points above the ECB target of 2.0%. This means purchasing power is declining faster than intended.
Purchasing Power
At this inflation rate, purchasing power noticeably decreases. Without a salary increase, you can buy less with the same money.
What you could buy for €100 this year will cost approximately €103.40 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2026
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2.7% | +0.8 |
| February | 2.7% | +0.9 |
| March | 3.6% | +1.6 |
| April | 3.7% | +1.5 |
| May | 3.6% | +1.9 |
| June | 3.4% | +1.6 |
| July | 3.4% | +1.7 |
| August | 3.7% | +1.7 |
| September | 4.1% | +1.4 |
| Average | 3.4% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 26/10/2026. Not all months available yet.