Ireland’s annual inflation rate accelerated to 3.7% in August 2026, the highest level in four months, up from 3.4% in each of the previous two months. Price growth picked up notably in several categories, including housing and utilities (8.5% vs. 7.7% in July), furnishings and household equipment (0.3% vs. 0.1%), transportation (5.4% vs. 2.1%), recreation and culture (1.7% vs. 0.5%), and miscellaneous goods and services (2.9% vs. 2.6%).
Inflation remained unchanged for health (1.8%) and education (8.9%).
By contrast, price growth eased for food and non-alcoholic beverages (0.1% vs. 0.7%), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (2.3% vs. 2.5%), clothing and footwear (3.1% vs. 8.5%), information and communication (1.3% vs. 1.4%), restaurants and hotels (3.4% vs. 3.6%), and insurance and financial services (4.7% vs. 5.5%).
On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.7% in August, following a 0.1% increase in July.
