Croatian inflation hits 4.7% in September: transport and housing costs jump, food barely moves

The statistics office confirmed on October 15 that prices were 4.7% higher than a year ago, accelerating for a second month. Transport is up 16.0% and housing and energy 11.7%, while food, drinks and tobacco are up just 0.2%.

Published 2026-10-16 · Source checked 2026-10-15

On October 15 the Croatian Bureau of Statistics (DZS) published its second estimate for September: consumer prices were 4.7% higher than in September 2025 and 0.9% higher than in August. It confirms the first estimate of October 2 and is the second month in a row that yearly inflation has sped up. It was 3.9% in July and 4.2% in August.

Where it hurts most: by main group, transport was up 16.0% on a year earlier, and the group of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels up 11.7%. HRT, reporting the same release, gives energy prices a 20.4% yearly rise and services 7.6%.

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Food looks very different. Food, drinks and tobacco were only 0.2% higher than a year ago, and food and non-alcoholic drinks fell 0.2% in the month. Forbes Hrvatska notes that food prices have been steadied partly by government measures.

On the monthly numbers, clothing and footwear rose 11.4% from August and transport 1.9%, while restaurants and accommodation fell 2.5%. The statistics office also reports the EU-comparable index (HICP) at 4.3% yearly.

Prime Minister Plenković said on October 13 that the government projects inflation of around 4.5% for the whole of 2026 and blames the Middle East war for pushing up energy.

What to do: the big rises are in things you pay every month, such as fuel, tickets, electricity and heating. Check your fuel and transport spending first, ask your employer whether a travel allowance is paid, and compare your pay with what you spent in September. See our guide to the minimum wage 2027 decision due by 31 October.

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