ELSTAT: Inflation in Greece at 2.5%

Inflation in Greece rose 2.5% in January this year, compared to 2.6% in December 2025 and 2.7% in January 2025.

The inflation problem is sweeping households as the increases are mainly in food and groceries, where the index rose by 4.5% year-on-year.

Significant revaluations were recorded in:

• Beef 25,4%, Coffee 17,7%, chocolate 20,3%, lamb-goat 8,5%, pork 4,8%, poultry 3,5%
• Fruit 11,8%, vegetables 3.1%, dairy and eggs 4.7%, margarine-vegetable fats 9.8%
• Bread and bakery products 3,3%, spoon sweets - jams - honey 3,5%, confectionery 6,3%

Increases were also recorded in clothing and footwear (8%), rents (8.7%), electricity (2.4%), air transport (15.9%), holiday packages (7.1%), restaurants-pastry shops (7.5%), health insurance premiums (7%) and other personal transport services (4.6-6.6%).

On the contrary, price reductions were recorded in natural gas (-25,8%) and in heating oil (-9,5%).

In more detail

Between December and January, appreciation continued in: Bread and other bakery products (1%), Poultry (1.6%), Fish fresh or frozen (4.5%), Cheese (1.5%), Edible oils (1.6%), Vegetables (8.2%), Chocolates; chocolate products (6.2%), Other food (2.1%). There were also price increases in: Water (9.3%), Municipal Rates (2.2%), Sewerage (9.3%), Health Insurance Premiums (7%) and Residential Rent (0.9%). While, price decreases were recorded in, among others, in: Lamb and Goat (2.3%), Yogurt (2.3%), Coffee (1.8%), Electricity (2.6%), Natural Gas (6.6%), Heating Oil (1.2%), Fuel (1.4%), Air Passenger Transportation (4.5%) and Hotels-Motels-Integrated Hotels (6.1%).

According to ELSTAT, the increase in the general consumer price index in January was mainly due to changes in the following groups of goods and services:

1. From the increases of the indicators by:

*4.5% in the «Food and non-alcoholic beverages» group, mainly due to an increase in the price of: bread and other bakery products, beef, pork, pork, lamb and goat, poultry, fish and seafood (general), dairy products and eggs, margarine and other vegetable fats, fruits (general), vegetables (general), spoon sweets; jams; honey, chocolates; chocolate products, confectionery products, coffee. Part of this increase was offset by a decrease in prices, mainly for: cold cuts, olive oil, salt; sauces; condiments.

*2% in the group «Alcoholic beverages and tobacco», mainly due to an increase in the prices of: alcoholic beverages (not served), cigarettes.

*8% in the «Clothing and footwear» group, due to an increase in clothing and footwear prices.

*2.1% in the «Housing» group, mainly due to an increase in the prices of: house rents, repair and maintenance of housing, various home-related services, electricity. Part of this increase was offset by a decrease in prices mainly for: gas, heating oil.

*0.4% in the «Health» group, mainly due to an increase in prices of: outpatient services, hospital care. Part of this increase was offset by a decrease in prices mainly in pharmaceuticals.

*0.9% in the group «Transport», mainly due to an increase in the prices of: new cars, spare parts and personal transport equipment, maintenance and repair of personal transport equipment, other services related to personal transport, air passenger tickets. Part of this increase was offset by a decrease in prices mainly for: used cars, fuel and lubricants.

*2% in the group «Recreation - Sport and Culture», mainly due to an increase in the prices of: durable goods for leisure, gardening and pet products, holiday package.

*2.8% in the group «Education», mainly due to an increase in the prices of: pre-school and primary education fees, secondary education fees.

*6.8% in the group «Hotels-Cafes-Restaurants», mainly due to an increase in prices in restaurants, pastry shops, fast food outlets and canteens. Part of this increase was offset by a decrease in prices, mainly in hotels-motels-inns.

*1.5% in the «Insurance and financial services» group, mainly due to an increase in health insurance premiums. Part of this increase was partly offset by a decrease mainly in vehicle premium prices.

2. From the reductions of the indicators by:

*0.5% in the group «Durable goods - Household goods and services», mainly due to a decrease in prices of: household textiles, household consumer durables. This decrease was partly offset by an increase in prices mainly in household services.

*1.6% in the «Information and communication» group, mainly due to a decrease in the prices of: information and communication equipment, mobile services.

*0.7% in the group «Personal care - Social protection - Other goods and services‘, mainly due to a decrease in the prices of other appliances and personal hygiene and care products. Part of this decrease was offset by an increase in prices mainly in: hairdressers and personal care shops, other services.

At the same time, the general index showed a decrease of 0.8% in January 2026 compared to December 2025, compared to a decrease of 0.7% in the same period of the previous year.

As for harmonised inflation, it will henceforth be based on 2025 and in January it increased by 2.9%, compared to an increase of 3.1% in January last year. While, between December and January it showed a decrease of 0.7%, against a decrease of also 0.7% recorded in the corresponding comparison last year.