The annual inflation rate in the Czech Republic stood at 2.1% year-on-year in May 2026, down from 2.5% in April and in line with preliminary estimates. Price growth eased in several categories, including alcoholic beverages and tobacco (3.7% vs. 5.2% in April), recreation, sport and culture (3.0% vs. 3.4%), health (2.8% vs. 4.0%), information and communication (2.5% vs. 3.4%), furnishings, household equipment and routine maintenance (1.1% vs. 1.4%), as well as personal care, social protection, and other miscellaneous goods and services (3.3% vs. 3.5%).
Deflation continued in food and non-alcoholic beverages (-1.9% vs. -1.3%) and in clothing and footwear (-2.5% vs. -2.4%). By contrast, inflation picked up in housing and utilities (1.3% vs. 1.2%), transport (9.4% vs. 8.7%), education (4.0% vs. 3.9%), and restaurants and hotels (4.4% vs. 4.3%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices slipped by 0.1% in May, after a 0.5% rise in April, marking the weakest monthly outcome since February.
