Inflation Overview

Annual inflation in Cyprus reached 2.6% in May 2026, according to data released by the Statistical Service. Rising oil prices were among the main factors contributing to the increase. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 102.74 units in May, compared with 102.80 units in April, reflecting a monthly decline of 0.06 units. On an annual basis, however, prices continued to trend higher.

Sectoral Shifts And Monthly Trends

Compared with May 2025, the largest increases were recorded in Petroleum Products, which rose by 22.9%, and Agricultural Products, up 4.7%. Electricity and Water recorded the largest annual decline, falling by 3.7%. Every month, Electricity and Water posted the strongest increase at 5.5%, while Agricultural Products recorded the largest decrease, declining by 2.7%.

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Key Annual Variations

Among the main expenditure categories, Transport recorded the highest annual increase at 9.5% compared with May 2025. Clothing and Footwear registered the largest decline, falling by 8.2%. Other notable increases were recorded in Leisure, Sports and Culture, which rose by 4.6%, and Housing, Water Supply, Electricity, Natural Gas and Other Fuels, up 4.2%.

Information and Communication declined by 4.2% over the same period. Compared with April 2026, Housing, Water Supply, Electricity, Natural Gas and Other Fuels recorded the largest monthly increase at 1.8%, while Transport declined by 1.1%.

Impact On Consumer Price Index

According to the Statistical Service, the largest positive contributions to annual inflation came from Restaurants and Accommodation Services, Leisure, Sports and Culture, and Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco. Health, Information and Communication, and Clothing and Footwear had the strongest downward effect on annual inflation. Monthly, Housing, Water Supply, Electricity, Natural Gas and Other Fuels, Transport, and Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages made the largest contributions to changes in the CPI.

Among individual products and services, Leisure Services recorded the strongest positive impact compared with May 2025, while Mobile Communication Services had the largest negative effect. For month-on-month changes, Electricity contributed the most to upward price movements, whereas Vegetables exerted the strongest downward influence on the index.