Inflation climbed to 5.2% in May, according to ELSTAT data, resulting in an average 12-month index for the period June 2025 – May 2026, compared to the corresponding 12-month index for June 2024 – May 2025, now showing an increase of 3.1%.
The data show a 17.6% increase in beef prices, 16.2% in lamb, and 12.6% in fish. Margarine is 10.6% more expensive.
Natural gas is 21% more expensive, and diesel 53.2%. As a result, gasoline is selling for 21% more, and diesel for 24.4% more.
Health insurance premiums have risen by 7%, while rents are up 7.7%.
Specifically, the 5.2% increase in the General CPI in May 2026, compared to the corresponding index in May 2025, was mainly driven by changes in the following groups of goods and services:
1. Increases in the indices by:
- 3.5% in the Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages group, due mainly to price increases in: bread and other bakery products, beef, pork, lamb, and goat meat, poultry, cold cuts, meat-based preparations, salted fish, dairy products and eggs, margarine and other vegetable fats, fruits (in general), vegetables (in general), sugar, chocolate, sweets, ice cream, and coffee. Part of this increase was offset by a decrease mainly in prices for: breakfast cereals, fresh or frozen fish, and olive oil.
- 11.6% in the Housing group, due mainly to price increases in: residential rents, home repair and maintenance, various home-related services, electricity, natural gas, heating oil, and solid fuels.
- 1.2% in the Health group, due mainly to price increases in: medical products, outpatient care services, and hospital care. Part of this increase was offset by a decrease mainly in the prices of pharmaceutical products.
- 11.5% in the Transportation group, due mainly to price increases in: new cars, parts and equipment for personal transportation, diesel fuel, car fuel (gasoline), other fuels, maintenance and repair of personal transport equipment, other services related to personal transport, and air passenger fares. Part of this increase was offset by a decrease mainly in prices for used cars.
- 1.4% in the Recreation, Sports, and Culture group, due mainly to price increases in: gardening products and pets, recreational services, and vacation packages.
- 2.8% in the Education group, due mainly to price increases in: preschool and primary education tuition, and secondary education tuition.
- 8.5% in the Hotels - Cafes - Restaurants group, due mainly to price increases in: restaurants, pastry shops, fast-food outlets, and cafeterias; hotels, motels, and inns.
- 3.4% in the Insurance and Financial Services group, due mainly to price increases in: health insurance premiums, vehicle insurance premiums.
- 0.9% in the Personal Care – Social Protection – Other Goods and Services group, due mainly to price increases in: hair salons and personal care shops, jewelry and watches, and other services. Part of this increase was offset by a decrease mainly in prices for: other personal hygiene and care appliances and products, and other personal items.
2. Of the decreases in the indices by:
- 0.1% in the Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco group, due mainly to a decrease in prices for alcoholic beverages (not served in restaurants).
- 0.9% in the Clothing and Footwear group, due to a decrease in prices for clothing and footwear.
- 0.1% in the Durable Goods – Household Goods and Services group, due mainly to a decrease in prices for: household appliances and repairs, and household consumables. Part of this decrease was offset by an increase mainly in prices for household services.
- 2.7% in the Information and Communication group, due mainly to a decrease in prices for: information and communication equipment, mobile phone services, and telephone service packages.