Over the month, the average level of consumer prices remained unchanged

The data of the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that in January 2026, compared to December 2025, the average level of consumer prices remained unchanged. The greatest pressure on the price changes was put by the drop in prices in transport group, mainly passenger transport by air and fuels for transport, as well as clothing and footwear. Prices of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels went up.

Compared to December 2025, in January 2026 drop in prices in transport group (0.4 percentage points), clothing and footwear (0.2 percentage points), as well as rise in prices of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (0.4 percentage points) contributed the most to the price level changes.

Over the month, prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages grew by 0.3 %. Price rise for fresh or chilled fruit-bearing vegetables (of 8.8 %) had the strongest upward influence on the average price level within the group. Mainly due to the end of promotions, prices of preparations of meat (1.3 %), fresh dates, figs and tropical fruits (7.4 %), dried, salted or smoked meat (2.5 %), breakfast cereals (11.4 %) increased. Upturn was registered also in prices of fresh, chilled or frozen meat of pigs (1.4 %), soft drinks (5.0 %), milk-based desserts and beverages (4.9 %), other fresh or chilled vegetables (3.8 %). In turn, due to the discounts, prices of coffee (3.8 %), cheese (1.1 %), other bakery products (1.1 %), chocolate (1.5 %) fell. Decline was registered in prices of fresh apples (6.4 %), fresh pears (9.7 %), olive oil (6.5 %).

The average level of alcoholic beverages and tobacco prices rose by 1.2 %. Prices of alcoholic beverages went up by 1.9 %, which was mainly affected by the end of promotions on spirits, wine and beer. 

The average level of prices within clothing and footwear group fell by 4.4 %. Affected by discounts and sales of winter goods, the average price level of garments dropped by 4.4 %, of shoes and other footwear by 4.6 %.

The average level of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels prices went up by 2.4 %. The most significant price rise within the group was registered for electricity (7.3 %). Prices of natural gas increased by 6.2 %. Charges for maintenance of multi-occupied buildings (2.2 %), refuse collection (3.6 %), heat energy (0.4 %) became more expensive. 

The average level of prices in health group increased by 1.3 %. As the sales campaigns ended, price rise for medicines (of 1.3 %) had the strongest upward influence on the price level within the group. Growth was registered in prices of dental services, as well as outpatient curative and rehabilitative services. 

In transport group prices went down by 3.2 %, which was mainly affected by the drop in prices of passenger transport by air. Prices of fuels for transport went down by 3.0 %, of which prices of diesel by 3.1 %, of petrol by 3.1 %, but prices of auto gas went up by 2.5 %. Over the month, upturn was also recorded in prices of maintenance and repair of personal transport equipment.

The average level of prices in recreation, sport and culture group went down by 0.7 %, which was mainly affected by the drop in prices of package holidays. Sales campaigns led to the drop in prices of products for pets. In turn, prices of newspapers and periodicals increased. Mainly affected by the end of sales campaigns, prices of games, toys and hobby-related articles went up.

Prices of personal care, social protection, miscellaneous goods and services rose by 1.7 %. As the sales campaigns ended, prices of other appliances, articles and products for personal care had the strongest upward influence on the price level within the group. Prices of hairdressing salons and personal grooming establishment services also increased. As of January 1, the fees for issuing passports and ID cards have changed, resulting in a 14.2 % increase in the average level of prices for the respective services.

Among other commodity groups, the most notable drop was registered in prices of hotel services. In turn, rise was registered in prices of mobile telephone equipment. 

Over the year, the average level of consumer prices rose by 2.9 %

Compared to January 2025, in January 2026 the average level of consumer prices* increased by 2.9 %. The average level of consumer prices was mainly influenced by the rise in prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages (1.0 percentage point), mainly of coffee, fresh, chilled or frozen meat of poultry, as well as housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (1.0 percentage point). Also, rise in prices of personal care, social protection, miscellaneous goods and services (0.2 percentage points), health (0.2 percentage points), as well as drop in prices of transport group (0.3 percentage points) contributed significantly to the price level changes.

Over the year, prices within the group of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 3.9 %. Price rise for coffee (of 20.9 %), fresh, chilled or frozen meat of poultry (14.3 %), eggs (17.2 %), fresh or chilled fruit-bearing vegetables (11.9 %), chocolate (12.2 %), bread (3.2 %) had the strongest upward influence on the average price level within the group. Prices of other bakery products (4.7 %), dried, salted or smoked fish (24.1 %), fresh, chilled or frozen meat of bovine animals (25.8 %), fresh citrus fruits (9.5 %), fish preparations (6.1 %) also went up. In turn, prices went down for butter (11.5 %), other fresh fruits, (19.8 %), olive oil (17.8 %), cheese (2.1 %), potatoes (8.5 %), flour of cereals (8.2 %).

The average level of prices within clothing and footwear group rose by 2.4 %. Prices of garments increased by 2.6 %, of shoes and other footwear by 2.7 %.

The average level of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels prices went up by 6.0 %. Over the year, the most significant rise in the prices was for electricity (8.6 %). Prices of heat energy (4.1 %), charges for maintenance of multi-occupied buildings (7.2 %), water supply (9.9 %), actual rentals for housing (8.0 %), sewage collection (12.3 %) became more expensive. Increase was recorded in prices of services for the maintenance, repair and security of the dwelling (7.4 %), natural gas (5.8 %), refuse collection (5.4 %). In turn, materials for the maintenance and repair of the dwelling (2.1 %) became cheaper.

The average level of prices in health group increased by 3.0 %. Over the year, prices of outpatient curative and rehabilitative services, dental services, diagnostic imaging services and medical laboratory services went up. In turn, prices of medicines decreased.

In transport group prices on average went down by 2.2 %, which was mainly affected by the drop in prices of fuels for transport (of 7.6 %). Prices of diesel went down by 7.7 %, of petrol by 8.0 %, of auto gas by 2.0 %. Prices of second-hand motor cars went down. In turn, over the year, prices of other services related to personal transport equipment, maintenance and repair of personal transport equipment, passenger transport by road, passenger transport by train increased.

The average level of prices in information and communication group increased by 2.5 %. Subscriptions to audiovisual streaming services and rental of audiovisual content, bundled telecommunication services, mobile communication services became more expensive. Prices of computers fell.

Within the restaurants and accommodation services group, the average level of prices went up by 4.3 %. Upturn was observed in prices of food and beverage serving services, of which prices of restaurant and café services rose by 5.1 %, of canteens, cafeterias and refectories services by 6.1 %.

Prices of personal care, social protection, miscellaneous goods and services rose by 4.8 %. Increase was observed in prices of other appliances, articles and products for personal care, retirement home fee for elderly persons, hairdressing salons and personal grooming establishments services, jewellery and watches.

Among other commodity groups, the most notable rise was registered in prices of cigarettes, tertiary education, childhood education and non-durable household goods. In turn, wine, spirits and liquors, beer were cheaper.

Price changes by commodity group

(as per cent)

Compared to 2025, in January 2026 consumer prices were 0.5 % higher. Prices of goods increased by 0.3 % and prices of services by 1.2 %.

In January 2026 average consumer price changes in last 12 months, compared to the previous 12 months (annual average inflation) was 3.7 %.

Information on consumer price changes in February 2026 will be published on 10 March.

Starting from January 2026, the consumer price index in Latvia and the European Union is compiled in accordance with the updated European Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose (ECOICOP), version 2. The transition to the new classification does not affect the already published overall inflation indicators. More detailed information about the transition to the updated classification is available in the CSB informative material and Eurostat publication.

The base period of the consumer price index is being changed to 2025

Starting from 2026, the CSB will use a new reference period in the calculation of the consumer price index – the average level of 2025, which is assigned an index value of 100. The previously used base period of 2015 is being replaced to make it easier for data users to understand development trends, since the comparison will be made with a more recent period, as well to ensure that time series with a unified index reference period are also available for items that were included in the sample after 2015. The change of the base period is a standard statistical practice and is carried out regularly. The changes do not affect the actual measurement of price dynamics – inflation indicators will continue to reflect actual changes in prices, but with a new reference point for comparisons.

* 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.
** Weights reflect expenditure share of the respective commodity group in the total household expenditure.

Methodological information:

The consumer price survey is a sample survey with targeted sample at all levels. It is conducted each month from 4th to 20th date, distributing the price collection evenly over the survey period. In 2026, the CPI sample includes 558 goods and services, the prices of which are recorded regularly. Approximately 2 000 trade and services outlets are surveyed. In total, about 25.3 thousand prices are observed each month.

More information on consumer price changes is available in the official statistics portal section Consumer prices.

Media requests:
Public Relations Section
E-mail: media@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 27880666

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