Analysis: Even though inflation is 1.8% on average, some items are a lot more expensive now than they were this time last year
Consumers are feeling the impact of rising prices on the weekly shop and in their day-to-day lives. The latest Consumer Price Index figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show prices for goods and services were up 1.8% on average on June 2024, and up 0.5% monthly from May 2025 to June 2025. But inflation can vary a lot across different items, from bread, milk and beef, to fuel, taxis, hairdressers and a trip to the cinema. So although inflation is 1.8% on average, some items are a lot more expensive now than they were this time last year.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is the official measure of inflation in Ireland. The CPI measures the average price change of a fixed basket of goods and services that are representative of the spending habits of Irish households. It measures the changes on a monthly and annual basis by collecting approximately 53,000 prices every month and comparing these to the corresponding prices from the previous month. This is how the calculations are done.
Generally speaking, if inflation is 1.8% year-on-year, something that cost €5 in June 2024 costs €5.09 in June 2025 on average. But averages hide all sorts of big differences. For example, the price of meat is up on average 8%, while beef specifically is up 21.9%. When it comes to fuel as a whole, prices are down -0.5%, but the price of electricity is up 1.3%, while diesel is down -3.5%. It’s important to keep these distinctions in mind when diving into the annual changes.
From CSO, Ireland’s Consumer Price Index explained
While Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages are up 4.6% overall as a whole, for example, this figure contains bigger changes on individual items you might pick up in the supermarket. When it comes to some of our essentials, butter is up 18.6% and fresh low fat milk is up 13.7%. Beef and veal are up 21.9%, while fish is up 3.3%. Meanwhile, coffee is up 8.2%, crisps are up 5.8%, and chocolate is up 17.5% on this time last year.
The price of a pint of beer in a licensed premise is up 4.5%, while the price of a trip to a restaurant or cafe is up 3.4%. The price of books is down -8.3%, but the price of newspapers and periodicals is up 9.2%. Meanwhile, package holidays cost 4.2% more compared to June 2024.
Search through the table below to see the changes between June 2024 and June 2025. You can also order the table to see the biggest and smallest changes.
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The divisions with the largest increases in the 12 months to June 2025 were Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+4.6%) and Recreation & Culture (+3.5%). The divisions to record the largest declines when compared with June 2024 were Clothing & Footwear (-2.3%) and Transport (-2.0%).
According to the CSO, the main factors contributing to the annual change were as follows:
- Restaurants & Hotels increased primarily due to higher prices for alcoholic drinks and food consumed in licensed premises, restaurants, cafes etc. This increase was partially offset by a reduction in the cost of hotel accommodation.
- Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages rose due to higher prices across a range of products such as meat, chocolate and milk, cheese & eggs.
- Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels increased primarily due to higher rents, and an increase in the cost of electricity. This increase was partially offset by a reduction in the price of liquid fuels (home heating oil).
- Recreation & Culture rose mainly due to higher prices for recreational & sporting services, recording media and package holidays.
- Transport decreased primarily due to lower prices for airfares, petrol and diesel. This reduction was partially offset by higher prices for the maintenance & repair of personal transport equipment.
- Clothing & Footwear fell due to sales.
- Furnishings, Household Equipment & Routine Household Maintenance decreased primarily due to lower prices for household textiles and furniture & furnishings.
Search through the table below to see the change in national average prices between June 2024 and June 2025. You can also order the table to see the biggest and smallest price changes.
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Moving to the actual price of things, the national average price for bread (large (800g) white sliced pan) increased by 6 cents in the year to June 2025, while the same size brown sliced pan increased by 5 cents in the year. Spaghetti per 500g was unchanged in the year, while the average price for 2.5kg of potatoes was down 29 cents. The national average price of full fat milk per 2 litres was up 27 cents in the year, while butter per pound rose by €1.10 and the average price of Irish cheddar per kg increased by 95 cents.
The national average price of a take-home 50cl can of lager at €2.41 was down 2 cents from June 2024, while a take-home 50cl can of cider at €2.71 was up 3 cents. In June 2025, the national average price of a pint of stout in licensed premises was €6.07, up 27 cents in the year, while a pint of lager was €6.49, up 29 cents compared with June 2024.
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