The average level of consumer prices reduced to 3.6 % in May

The latest Central Statistical Bureau data show that, compared to May 2024, the average level of consumer prices* fell to 3.6 % in May 2025.

Compared to May 2024, in May 2025 the average level of consumer prices was mainly influenced by the rise in the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages (2.0 percentage points), goods and services related to housing (0.5 percentage points), alcoholic beverages and tobacco products (0.5 percentage points), goods and services related to recreation and culture (0.3 percentage points), health care (0.2 percentage points), restaurant and hotel services (0.2 percentage points), as well as the drop in the prices of goods and services related to transport (0.6 percentage points).

The prices within the group of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 7.5 % over the year. The price rise for coffee (up by 34.7 %) had the strongest upward influence on the average price level within the group. Increases were also registered in the prices of poultry (18.5 %), chocolate (33.2 %), fresh fruit (11.0 %), butter (25.8 %), and eggs (17.7 %). Cheese and curd became more expensive (6.4 %), as did milk products (8.5 %), dried, salted or smoked meat (4.0 %), bakery products (5.0 %), bread (2.8 %), milk (5.3 %), vegetable oil (13.4 %), and beef (20.2 %). However, price reduction was registered for fresh vegetables (3.1 %), sugar (20.5 %), fresh or chilled fish (9.1 %), as well as flours and other cereals (3.2 %).

The average level of alcoholic beverage and tobacco product prices rose by 7.3 %. Prices of tobacco products increased by an average of 12.2 % over the year. As the prices of spirits, wine, and beer went up, the prices of alcoholic beverages grew by 4.7 %.

The average price level for goods and services related to housing rose by 3.2 %. The most significant increase within this group was registered in the electricity prices, which grew by 9.7 % over the year. Maintenance charges in multi-occupied buildings became more expensive as well (up by 7.6 %), as did natural gas (10.9 %), services for the maintenance and repair of the dwelling (10.1 %), refuse collection (8.9 %), rentals for housing (5.2 %), water supply (6.1 %) and sewage collection (5.3 %). However, decline was registered in the prices of heat energy (6.8 %).

The average level of health care prices grew by 3.7 %. Price increase over the year was registered for medical specialist practice, dental services, as well as services of medical analysis laboratories and x-ray centres.

The 9.9 % decline in the prices of fuels for transport was the main factor behind the 4.2 % drop in the prices of goods and services related to transport. Prices of diesel and petrol went down by 12.0 % and 12.1 % respectively, while prices of auto gas went up by 26.9 %. The prices of second-hand motor cars also reduced over the year. However, price increases were recorded for other services in respect of personal transport equipment, maintenance and repair of personal transport equipment, tyres, passenger transport by train, as well as passenger transport by air.

Prices of goods and services related to recreation and culture grew by 5.2 %, mainly driven by rising prices of television subscription fee, recreational and sporting services, newspapers and magazines, package holidays, pet food, stationery and drawing materials, as well as flowers.

The average level of restaurant and hotel service prices grew by 4.8 %. Price increase was registered for catering services, including rises of 3.8 % for restaurant and café services, 5.9 % for canteen services, and 3.6 % for fast food services. Hotel services also became more expensive over the year.

Among other commodity groups, the most notable price rise was registered for telecommunication services, pre-primary education, garments, footwear, as well as hairdressing salons and personal grooming establishment services. However, articles for personal hygiene and beauty products as well as motor vehicle insurance became cheaper.

Over the month, the average level of consumer prices reduced by 0.1 %

Compared to April 2025, the average level of consumer prices reduced by 0.1 % in May 2025. The drop in the prices of goods and services related to transport (0.4 percentage points) as well as the rise in the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages (0.1 percentage points), goods and services related to housing (0.1 percentage points), restaurant and hotel services (0.1 percentage points), and furnishings (0.1 percentage points) contributed the most to the price level changes.

The prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages grew by 0.3 % over the month. Price rise for coffee (up by 7.7 %, mainly due to the increase in ground coffee prices) had the strongest upward influence on the average price level within the group. The end of short-term discounts led to higher prices of dried, salted or smoked meat (1.9 %), sour cream (4.3 %), potatoes (6.2 %), flours and other cereals (2.6 %), olive oil (5.1 %), fresh or chilled fish (4.5 %), and eggs (1.3 %). The prices of pork increased as well (2.5 %), as did the prices of poultry (1.0 %), bakery products (0.8 %), and beef (4.3 %). However, fresh vegetables witnessed a prices decline of 10.8 %. Additionally, the launch of promotional offers drove down the prices of cheese and curd (1.3 %), bread (0.6 %), vegetable oil (2.7 %), and milk (0.9 %).

The average price level for goods and services related to housing went up by 0.5 %. Maintenance charges in multi-occupied buildings as well as natural gas had the most significant price rise within the group – up by 1.6 % and 2.3 % respectively. Price increases were also recorded for the rentals for housing (1.4 %), heat energy (0.3 %), services for the maintenance and repair of the dwelling (1.6 %), and electricity (0.1 %). However, solid fuels became cheaper (1.0 %).

Prices within the furnishings group grew by 1.6 %. The prices of cleaning and maintenance products as well as non-electric kitchen utensils and articles rose following the end of promotional discounts.

The overall 3.1 % decline in the prices of goods and services related to transport was largely due to price decrease for fuels for transport – of 4.8 %, including decreases of 5.7 % for diesel, 4.4 % for petrol, and 1.2 % for auto gas. Reduction was also registered in the prices of passenger transport by air as well as maintenance and repair of personal transport equipment.

The average level for restaurant and hotel service prices grew by 2.1 %. This was primarily due to higher hotel service prices. Price rise was also registered for fast food services (1.2 %) as well as restaurant and café services (0.3 %).

Among other commodity groups, the most notable price decline was registered for package holidays as well as articles for personal hygiene and beauty products. However, prices of pharmaceutical products, spirits, tobacco products, and wine increased.

Price changes by commodity group

(per cent)

Compared to the average of 2015, in May 2025 consumer prices were 51.5 % higher. Prices of goods increased by 50.4 % and prices of services by 52.5 %.

In May 2025, annual average inflation – the average consumer price change over the past 12 months compared to the preceding 12 months – stood at 2.4 %.

Information on consumer price changes in June 2025 will be published on 8 July.

Methodological information:

* The annual inflation reflects consumer price changes, comparing the average price level in the comparison month with the average price level in the corresponding month of the previous year.

Media requests:
Public Relations Section
E-mail: media@csp.gov.lv
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More information on data:
Nataļja Dubkova
Consumer Price Indices Section
E-mail: Natalja.Dubkova@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 67366644