Tuesday, 13 January 2026
Consumer price growth in the Czech Republic remained unchanged at the end of 2025, with inflation holding at 2.1% year on year in December, matching the rate recorded in November. The figures were confirmed by the Czech Statistical Office, which also published final data for the full year.
On a monthly basis, consumer prices declined by 0.3% in December, reflecting easing pressures in several spending categories.
For 2025 as a whole, average inflation reached 2.5%, slightly higher than in 2024. Over the year, prices of goods increased by 1.1%, while services became 4.7% more expensive, underlining the continued divergence between these two components of consumer spending.
Housing-related costs were the main factor behind December’s annual price growth. Expenses linked to owner-occupied housing rose by 5% year on year, while rents increased by 6.4%. Water supply and wastewater services were also more expensive, alongside higher charges for refuse collection and heating.
In contrast, energy prices provided downward pressure on inflation. Electricity prices fell by 5.1%, natural gas by 6.7%, and solid fuels by 2.4% compared with December 2024.
Prices in the alcohol and tobacco category continued to rise, driven mainly by higher tobacco prices. Food and non-alcoholic beverages also recorded notable increases, particularly meat, dairy products and coffee. Spending on restaurants and accommodation rose further, reflecting sustained price growth in hospitality services.
Recreation and cultural services also contributed to inflation, with higher prices for leisure activities and packaged holidays. At the same time, consumers benefited from lower prices for clothing, footwear and fuels, which helped offset part of the upward pressure elsewhere in the consumer basket.
During 2025, annual inflation generally fluctuated between 2% and 3%, with the lowest rate recorded in April and the highest in June. Overall, rising food prices and service costs played the most significant role in shaping last year’s inflation profile.
Alongside inflation data, the statistical office also released updated figures on foreign trade prices for November 2025, confirming continued year-on-year declines in both export and import prices. Export prices were down 4.7% compared with the previous year, while import prices fell by 5.4%, influenced in part by the strengthening of the Czech koruna against major currencies.
Energy commodities contributed significantly to the decline in trade prices, with sharp reductions recorded for electricity, oil and natural gas.
Taken together, the latest data suggest that while inflation in the Czech Republic has stabilised close to long-term targets, underlying price pressures—particularly in housing and services—remain an important factor heading into 2026.
