The annual inflation rate eased to 2.3% in February 2026 from 2.9% in January, reaching its lowest level since November 2024. Price growth slowed across several major categories, including food and non-alcoholic beverages (2.4% vs 3.9% in January), housing and utilities (5.3% vs 6.0%), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (0.6% vs 0.8%), and recreation, sports, and culture (1.4% vs 1.5%).
Inflation also moderated for furnishings, routine household maintenance and equipment (0.9% vs 2.5%), education (5.1% vs 9.8%), and personal care, social protection, and miscellaneous goods and services (3.2% vs 4.8%). At the same time, deflation in transport softened, with prices falling 1.7% compared with a 2.2% decline in the prior month.
In contrast, price pressures strengthened in several areas: health (4.1% vs 3.0%), clothing and footwear (2.9% vs 2.4%), and restaurants and accommodation services (4.4% vs 4.3%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices inched up 0.2% in February, following a flat reading in January.
