The consumer price index was up by 3.1% in February year on year

News
Posted on 6 March 2026, 8:00

According to Statistics Estonia, in February, the consumer price index increased by 0.8% compared with January and by 3.1% compared with February 2025. Goods were 2.5% and services 4% more expensive than in February last year.

Lauri Veski. Photo: Statistics Estonia

Lauri Veski, the Consumer Price Statistics Service Manager at Statistics Estonia, explained that inflation – i.e. the year-on-year increase in the consumer price index – has shown gradual decline in recent months. “With the exception of November 2025, inflation has been in decline since September last year,” he noted.

The rise in the consumer price index in February year on year was primarily influenced by the increases in the prices of food products (5.5%), health products and services (12%), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (7.9%) and housing (1.5%). Electricity prices remained high in February but were 0.7% lower than in February last year. Clothing and footwear were 5.7% cheaper than in February 2025, and the prices of insurance and financial services were down by 13.3%.

Year-on-year change in consumer price index

 Сhange in consumer price index, %
February 20255.30
March 20254.40
April 20254.52
May 20254.50
June 20255.03
July 20255.43
August 20256.14
September 20255.23
October 20254.59
November 20254.86
December 20254.07
January 20263.72
February 20263.08

Compared with January, the index for February was driven up by 6.3% more expensive tobacco products, 13.6% more expensive holiday trips, the 2.5% higher cost of heating, and the increase in fuel prices. Petrol was 1.9% and diesel fuel 4.6% more expensive in February. “The excise duty on tobacco was raised from January, but it usually takes three months before this impacts consumers. This is because goods with the old revenue stamps can still be sold until the end of March,” explained Veski.

The price of electricity in February was 0.3% cheaper than in January. Food prices rose by 0.3% compared with January, which was mainly due to the price increases of vegetables (3.7%) and coffee (7.8%). Meat and meat products were 1.8% and oils and fats 5.8% cheaper than in January.

Consumer price index, February 2025 = 100

 Consumer price index
February 2025100.00
March 202599.53
April 2025100.54
May 2025100.60
June 2025101.48
July 2025102.13
August 2025103.18
September 2025102.02
October 2025102.01
November 2025101.85
December 2025101.24
January 2026102.28
February 2026103.08
Change in the consumer price index by commodity group, February 2026

Commodity group

January 2026 – 
February 2026, %

February 2025 –
February 2026, %

TOTAL

0.8

3.1

Food and non-alcoholic beverages

0.3

5.5

Alcoholic beverages and tobacco

1.9

7.9

Clothing and footwear

-0.8

-5.7

Housing

0.5

1.5

Household goods

0.4

2.7

Health

0.3

12

Transport

1.3

-0.4

Information and communication

1.6

1.7

Recreation and leisure

3

2.3

Education

0.1

0.9

Restaurants and accommodation

0

4.6

Insurance and financial services

1.1

-13.3

Miscellaneous goods and services

0.8

4.4

For the statistical activity “Consumer price index”, the main representative of public interest is the Ministry of Finance, commissioned by whom Statistics Estonia collects and analyses the data.

Data as at 6 March 2026 are published. The indicator values may change if there are any revisions made in the data sources after this date.

See also the consumer price index calculator and the prices section on our website.

More detailed data have been published in the statistical database.

When using Statistics Estonia’s data and graphs, please indicate the source.

For further information:

Susann Kivi
Media Relations Manager
Marketing and Dissemination Department
Statistics Estonia
Tel +372 5696 6484
press [at] stat.ee (press[at]stat[dot]ee)

Photo: Shutterstock