Annual inflation in Ireland rose to 4.3% in October 2026, up from 4.1% in September, reaching its highest rate since December 2023. The acceleration was mainly driven by stronger price growth in housing and utilities (10.7% vs. 9.5% in September), transport (9.0% vs. 7.5%), and food and non-alcoholic beverages (0.9% vs. 0.4%).
Prices also increased more rapidly for alcoholic beverages and tobacco (4.4% vs. 2.6%), furnishings, household equipment, and routine household maintenance (1.2% vs. 0.4%), clothing and footwear (4.4% vs. 3.3%), information and communication (2.1% vs. 1.4%), as well as personal care, social protection, and other miscellaneous goods and services (3.5% vs. 2.0%).
In contrast, inflation remained unchanged in the health sector (1.8%), while it slowed for recreation, sports, and culture (0.7% vs. 1.6%) and for restaurants and accommodation services (3.1% vs. 3.5%). Education costs declined (-0.6% vs. 8.9%), marking a sharp reversal from the previous period.
On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased by 0.7% in October, compared with a 0.2% rise in the prior month.
