Ireland’s annual rate of consumer price inflation increased to 3.2% in November, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office. This marks an acceleration from the 2.9% rate recorded in October and represents the highest annual inflation level since February 2024.
The data shows that price pressures remain widespread across several sectors of the economy. Education recorded the largest annual increase, with costs rising by 8.9% over the twelve months to November. This was largely driven by higher third-level education fees. Clothing and footwear prices also rose sharply on an annual basis, increasing by 4.4%, while food and non-alcoholic beverages were up 4.3%. Prices in restaurants and hotels increased by 3.6% over the same period.
Significant increases were also recorded in specific grocery items. Beef and veal prices rose by almost a quarter compared with last year, while butter prices increased by more than 10%. Chocolate and coffee also became noticeably more expensive, with annual increases of 11.5% and 12.4% respectively.
On a month-to-month basis, clothing and footwear showed the largest increase, with prices rising by 1.2% in November. Miscellaneous goods and services increased by 0.5%, reflecting higher prices for items such as jewellery, clocks and watches, as well as rising health insurance premiums.
Alongside the inflation figures, the CSO published updated national average prices for a range of everyday goods and services. Over the past year, the average price of a large white sliced pan increased by nine cents, while a large brown sliced pan rose by one cent. Spaghetti prices edged up slightly, while the average cost of a 2.5kg bag of potatoes fell by 22 cents.
Dairy products continued to see upward pressure, with the average price of two litres of full-fat milk rising by 11 cents over the year. Butter prices increased by 55 cents per pound, and Irish cheddar rose by 62 cents per kilogram.
In contrast, some alcohol prices showed mixed movements. The average take-home price of a 50cl can of lager fell slightly to €2.39, while cider increased to €2.71. In licensed premises, the average price of a pint of stout rose to €6.08, with a pint of lager increasing to €6.51 compared with November last year.
These figures highlight the ongoing impact of rising living costs for households and underline the importance of careful financial planning in a persistently inflationary environment.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and is intended for general guidance only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy at the time of publication, details may change and errors may occur. This content does not constitute financial, legal or professional advice. Readers should seek appropriate professional guidance before making decisions. Neither the publisher nor the authors accept liability for any loss arising from reliance on this material.