In January of this year, compared to December, consumer prices in Latvia remained unchanged, while compared to January 2025, the price increase was 2.9%, whereas a month earlier, the annual inflation was 3.5%, according to data from the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB).
At the same time, the average level of consumer prices over the past 12 months compared to the previous 12 months increased by 3.7% in January.
As noted by the CSB, the most significant impact on price changes in January 2026 compared to December 2025 was from the prices of transport goods and services (-0.4 percentage points), clothing and footwear (-0.2 percentage points), housing, water, electricity, and gas supply, and other types of fuel (+0.4 percentage points).
Prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 0.3% over the month.
The most significant influence on the increase in the average price level in this group was from the prices of fresh and chilled vegetables and fruits (+8.8%). Mainly due to the end of promotions, prices for meat products increased (+1.3%), fresh dates, figs, and tropical fruits (+7.4%), dried, salted, and smoked meat (+2.5%), breakfast cereals (+11.4%). Prices for fresh, chilled, and frozen pork also rose (+1.4%), soft drinks (+5%), desserts and dairy-based drinks (+4.9%), and other fresh or chilled vegetables (+3.8%).
At the same time, as a result of promotions, coffee prices decreased (-3.8%), cheese (-1.1%), flour confectionery products (-1.1%), and chocolate (-1.5%). Fresh apples (-6.4%), fresh pears (-9.7%), and olive oil (-6.5%) also became cheaper.
The average price level for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products increased by 1.2% over the month, including a 1.9% rise in alcoholic beverages.
In the clothing and footwear group, prices decreased by 4.4% over the month. As a result of winter discounts and sales, the average price level for clothing decreased by 4.4%, and for footwear, it decreased by 4.6%.
In the housing, water, electricity, and gas supply, and other types of fuel group, the average price level increased by 2.4% over the month. The most significant increase in this group was for electricity (+7.3%). Natural gas (+6.2%), housing management services (+2.2%), waste disposal (+3.6%), and heat energy (+0.4%) also became more expensive.
In the healthcare group, the average price level increased by 1.3% over the month. The most significant influence on price growth in this group due to the end of promotions was from the prices of medications (+1.3%). Dental services, outpatient treatment, and rehabilitation services also became more expensive.
In the transport services and goods group, prices decreased by 3.2% over the month, mainly due to a decrease in passenger air transport prices. Fuel prices fell by 3%, including diesel fuel by 3.1%, gasoline by 3.1%, while autogas rose by 2.5%. Prices for the maintenance and repair of personal vehicles increased over the month.
In the leisure, sports, and culture services and goods group, the average price level decreased by 0.7% over the month, mainly due to a decrease in prices for comprehensive tourist services. As a result of promotions, pet products became cheaper. At the same time, prices for newspapers and periodicals, games, toys, and leisure goods increased.
In the personal care, social services, and various goods and services group, prices increased by 1.7% over the month. Due to the end of promotions, the most significant influence on growth in this group was from prices for personal care devices and products. Hairdressing and beauty salon services also became more expensive. As of January 1, fees for issuing passports and ID cards changed, resulting in an average price level for these services increasing by 14.2%.
In other consumption groups, the most significant price decrease over the month was observed in the hotel services sector. At the same time, prices for mobile phones increased.
Compared to January 2025, the most significant influence on changes in the average level of consumer prices in January this year was from prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages (+1 percentage point), mainly for coffee, fresh, chilled, and frozen chicken meat, for housing, water, electricity, and gas supply, and other types of fuel (+1 percentage point). Prices for personal care goods and services, social services, various goods and services also had a significant influence (+0.2 percentage points), healthcare services (+0.2 percentage points), and transport services and goods (-0.3 percentage points).
In the food and non-alcoholic beverages group, prices increased by 3.9% over the year.
The most significant influence on the increase in the average price level in this group over the year was from coffee prices (+20.9%), fresh, chilled, or frozen chicken meat (+14.3%), eggs (+17.2%), fresh and chilled vegetables and fruits (+11.9%), chocolate (+12.2%), and bread (+3.2%). Prices for flour confectionery products (+4.7%), dried, salted, and smoked fish (+24.1%), fresh, chilled, and frozen beef (+25.8%), fresh citrus fruits (+9.5%), and fish products (+6.1%) also increased. At the same time, butter (-11.5%), other fresh fruits (-19.8%), olive oil (-17.8%), cheese (-2.1%), potatoes (-8.5%), and flour (-8.2%) became cheaper.
In the clothing and footwear group, prices increased on average by 2.4% over the year, with clothing prices rising by 2.6% and footwear by 2.7%.
In the housing, water, electricity, and gas supply, and other types of fuel group, the average price level increased by 6% over the year. The most significant increase over the year was for electricity (+8.6%). Prices for heat energy (+4.1%), housing management services (+7.2%), water supply (+9.9%), rent for housing (+8%), and sewage services (+12.3%) also rose. Prices for maintenance, repair, and security services for housing (+7.4%), natural gas (+5.8%), and waste disposal (+5.4%) increased. At the same time, materials for the maintenance and repair of housing became cheaper (-2.1%).
In the healthcare services group, the average price level increased by 3% over the year. Over the year, outpatient treatment and rehabilitation services, dental services, diagnostic services, and medical laboratory services became more expensive. At the same time, medications became cheaper.
In the transport goods and services group, prices decreased by 2.2% over the year, mainly due to a decrease in fuel prices (-7.6%). Diesel fuel fell by 7.7%, gasoline by 8%, and autogas by 2%. Prices for used cars also decreased, while prices for other services related to personal vehicles, maintenance and repair of personal vehicles, as well as prices for passenger transport by road and rail increased.
In the information technology and communication group, the average price level increased by 2.5% over the year. Prices for subscriptions to audiovisual streaming services and rental of audiovisual content, comprehensive telecommunications services, and mobile services increased. Computers became cheaper.
In the restaurants and hotels group, the average price level increased by 4.3% over the year. Prices for catering services, including restaurant and café services (+5.1%) and cafeteria services (+6.1%), increased.
In the personal care, social services, and various goods and services group, prices increased by 4.8% over the year. Prices for various personal care devices and products, fees for accommodation in nursing homes, hairdressing and beauty salon services, jewelry, and wristwatches increased.
In other consumption groups, the most significant price increases over the year were observed for cigarettes, higher education, preschool education, and disposable household goods. At the same time, prices for wine, strong alcoholic beverages, liqueurs, and beer decreased.
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