Inflation cools slightly as food and service prices climb in early 2026
Inflation figures for December 2025 and January 2026 show a slight easing in price rises. Annual inflation dropped from 6.8% in December 2025 to 6.4% in January 2026. The latest data also highlights increases in food, services, and non-food goods over the past month.
In December 2025, annual inflation stood at 6.8% when compared to the same month in 2024. By January 2026, this rate had fallen to 6.4% year-on-year. Core inflation, which excludes volatile items like food and energy, rose by 0.3% over the past month.
Monthly price changes revealed a mixed picture. Food prices increased by 0.6%, while services also saw a 0.6% rise. Non-food goods, however, experienced a smaller uptick of just 0.1%.
The data provides limited context for broader trends. Core inflation in Germany was recorded at 3.0% in 2024, but comparable figures for other major economies like France, Italy, or the USA were not available for the same period.
The latest inflation figures indicate a slight reduction in annual price growth. Monthly increases in food, services, and non-food goods remain modest but noticeable. Economists will likely monitor whether this trend continues in the coming months.
