The country’s inflation rate for January 2026 stood at 0.7 per cent, meaning prices in January 2026 were 0.7 per cent higher than they were in January 2025. This marks an increase from the previous period, when inflation measured 0.4 per cent in December 2025 compared with December 2024.
However, it is the same rate recorded in the comparable period a year earlier, when inflation for January 2025 over January 2024 was also 0.7 per cent.
The Central Statistical Office, in a news release yesterday, said on a month-to-month basis, the All Items Index, which measures the overall cost of goods and services, rose to 125.8 in January 2026. This represents an increase of 0.6 index points, or 0.5 per cent, compared with December 2025.
Food prices continued to edge upward. The Index for Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages increased from 152.9 in December 2025 to 153.4 in January 2026. This reflects a 0.3 per cent rise over the month.
Several food items recorded higher prices. Among them were fresh whole chicken, fresh carite, ochroes, tomatoes, and plantains. Increases were also seen in chilled or frozen turkey parts, eddoes, parboiled rice, fresh king fish, and melongene. These price movements contributed significantly to the overall increase in the food index.
However, some food items became cheaper, helping to offset part of the rise. Prices declined for cucumber, Irish potatoes, tea in bags, and chocolate malt beverages. There were also decreases in hot peppers, chive, soya bean oil, grapes, cabbage, and celery. Despite these reductions, the overall food category still recorded a 0.3 per cent increase.
Outside of food, several other categories saw price changes between December 2025 and January 2026. The sub-index for Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco rose by 1.0 per cent. Health costs increased by 0.3 per cent. Recreation and Culture recorded the sharpest increase, rising by 5.3 per cent. Hotels, Cafes and Restaurants went up by 0.1 per cent, while Miscellaneous Goods and Services increased by 0.5 per cent.
At the same time, some sectors experienced price declines. Furnishing, Household Equipment, and Routine Maintenance of the House fell by 0.8 per cent. Transport costs declined by 0.2 per cent, and Communication costs slipped by 0.1 per cent. All other sections remained unchanged during the period.
In summary, the data show that while overall inflation remains moderate at 0.7 per cent year-on-year, there was a 0.5 per cent increase in prices from December 2025 to January 2026.
Food prices continued to edge upward, and increases in areas such as Recreation and Culture and Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco also contributed to the rise in the overall cost of living.
