Consumer prices rise by 2.7 per cent in September

Ottoline Spearman

Consumer prices rose to 2.7 per cent in September, up from 2.0 per cent in August, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

It marks the highest level of inflation since March 2024, when prices were rising at an annual rate of 2.9 per cent.

When energy and unprocessed food are excluded, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) - which tracks the average cost of everyday goods and services - stood slightly higher at 2.8 per cent.

The steepest annual increases were seen in Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages at 4.7 per cent, and Miscellaneous Goods and Services with a rise 3.7 per cent), while the cost of Furnishings and Household Equipment was the only category to fall, down 0.6 per cent on the year.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices fell by 0.2 per cent between August and September.

The biggest declines were in Transport (-1.8 per cent) and Recreation and Culture (-1.6 per cent), partly offset by higher prices for Clothing and Footwear (+2.4 per cent) and Miscellaneous Goods and Services rose by 0.5 per cent.

In September 2025, the most significant monthly price reductions were in Transport at 1.8%, and Recreation & Culture with a drop of 1.6 per cent.

The decrease in Transport was due to lower airfares.