Household CPI inflation accelerates to 1.7% in H1

The middle-income group recorded the highest inflation rate at 1.8%.

Consumer Price Index (CPI) for general households accelerated to 1.7% in the first half (H1) of 2026, up from 0.9% in H2 2025, according to the Department of Statistics.

Middle-income households recorded the highest inflation rate at 1.8%, followed by the highest 20% income group at 1.6% and the lowest 20% at 1.2%.

Food, motor cars, health insurance, accommodation, and petrol were identified as the main contributors to higher prices across all three groups.

Meanwhile, the increases were partly offset by lower education and electricity costs.

Excluding imputed rentals for housing, CPI stood at 2.2% for the middle 60% income group, 2% for the highest 20%, and 1.5% for the lowest 20%.

The lowest-income group recorded the smallest increase partly because cars and petrol account for a smaller share of its spending, whilst education and outpatient care costs fell more sharply due to subsidies and assistance measures.

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