Statistics Office: Pace of Y-o-y Inflation Accelerated to 3.8% in December

Bratislava, 15 January (TASR) – Consumer prices of goods and services fell by 0.3 percent month-on-month in December, the only price decline recorded in 2025, whereas the pace of year-on-year inflation accelerated slightly to 3.8 percent, but this was the second-lowest level last year (the lowest, 3.7 percent, was recorded in April, October and November), the Statistics Office reported on Thursday. In December, consumer prices declined month-on-month in five of the total 12 sectors (household expenditure groups), ranging from 2.4 percent in transport to 0.1 percent in clothing and footwear. At the same time, prices rose by up to 0.3 percent in four sectors: recreation and culture, restaurants and hotels, health care, and furniture and household equipment. Compared with November, prices remained unchanged in three sectors: housing with energy, post and communications, and education. The most significant impact on the month-on-month decrease in inflation came from a drop in transport prices (-2.4 percent). The most dynamic price decreases last year were driven mainly by cheaper fuels and air transport. The second-strongest dampening effect on month-on-month inflation came from a 0.6 percent decline in prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages. Inflation reached 3.8 percent in the final month. Compared with December 2024, prices were higher in all 12 sectors, ranging from 1.7 percent in transport to 8.9 percent in restaurants and hotels. Overall inflation was influenced by long-term dynamic price increases, particularly in catering services in the restaurants and hotels sector (+8.9 percent). December did not confirm the November trend of year-on-year declines in food prices, as consumers paid 1.1 percent more for them. Higher prices were recorded in six of nine food components, notably milk, cheese and eggs (+4.4 percent) as well as bread and cereals (+2.5 percent). Over the full 12 months of 2025, consumer prices rose by 4 percent year-on-year. mf