WEALTH March 2, 2026 0 Comments

HICP Inflation Dips to 2.4% in February—but Here’s Why Smart Investors Need to Watch What Happens Next

Ever wondered why your grocery bill seems to have a mind of its own these days? Well, in Ireland, consumer prices have danced their way up by 2.4% over the past year to February, according to the latest EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices. It’s a slight dip from January’s 2.5%, but still notably higher than the eurozone’s 1.7% rise. Food prices are leading the charge, jumping 3.4%, with unprocessed foods surging an eye-popping 5.8%. Energy, meanwhile, tiptoed up just 0.1%—barely enough to notice at the pump, but still on the upward tick. Over the last month alone, prices nudged higher by 0.7%, sparking the question: how much more are we really paying – and what comes next in this inflation saga? Dive in as we peel back the layers on what’s fueling these shifts and what it means for anyone watching their wallet closely. LEARN MORE

Consumer prices in Ireland rose 2.4% in the 12 months to February, the latest EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices shows.

Inflation dipped from 2.5% in January and compared to an annual increase of 1.7% in the wider eurozone.

Food prices (+3.4%) and unprocessed food prices (+5.8%) both surged over the past year while energy prices edged up 0.1%. Excluding energy and unprocessed food, the HICP is estimated to have grown by 2.4% since February.

Over the past month, prices have risen by 0.7%, with food prices having gone up 0.1% and energy prices having increased 0.4% since January.

“The latest flash estimate of the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), compiled by the CSO, indicates that prices for consumer goods and services in Ireland are estimated to have risen by 2.4% in the past year,” said Anthony Dawson, statistician in the prices division of the CSO.

“Looking at the components of the flash HICP in Ireland for February 2026, energy prices are estimated to have grown by 0.4% in the month and increased by 0.1% since February 2025. The HICP excluding energy and unprocessed food prices, is estimated to have gone up by 2.4% since February 2025.

Inflation — HICP inflation rose to 2.4% in February, according to the CSO.

“Food prices are estimated to have risen by 0.1% in the last month and increased by 3.4% in the last 12 months. Service prices have risen by 0.8% in the month and are up by 3.3% in the 12 months to February 2026.”

(Pic: Getty Images)