Croatia inflation rises to 4.7% – here is what is driving prices

ZAGREB, 2 October 2026 – Croatia’s annual inflation rate rose to 4.7% in September 2026, according to the latest flash estimate from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics (DZS).

Consumer prices, measured by the national consumer price index, increased by 4.7% compared with September 2025. On a monthly basis, prices rose by 0.9% compared with August.

The figures mark an increase from August, when annual consumer price inflation was estimated at 4.1% in the flash estimate and later confirmed at 4.2% in the final data.

Energy prices rise sharply

Energy was by far the fastest-rising major component in September, with prices 20.5% higher than a year earlier. Energy prices also increased by 2.7% compared with August.

Services recorded an annual increase of 7.6%, although prices in this category fell by 0.7% month-on-month.

Prices of food, beverages and tobacco were 0.2% higher year-on-year, while falling by 0.2% compared with August.

Meanwhile, non-food industrial goods excluding energy were 1.4% lower than a year earlier, although this category recorded a monthly increase of 2.8%.

The DZS data therefore show a significant difference between the main components, with energy and services recording the strongest annual increases, while food prices were broadly stable compared with a year earlier.

Using the harmonised index of consumer prices (HICP), which allows comparison between EU countries, Croatian prices were 4.3% higher in September 2026 than in September 2025.

On a monthly basis, the harmonised index remained unchanged compared with August.

The September figures are a flash estimate based on data available by the end of the reference month. DZS is scheduled to publish the final consumer price index figures for September on 15 October 2026.

The latest Croatian figures come as inflation across the euro area also accelerated in September, with Eurostat’s preliminary estimate putting euro-area inflation at 3.8%.