Consumer price index up by 3.7% in May year on year

Compared with May 2025, the rise in the consumer price index was influenced the most by the 10.4% increase in transport costs and the 5.4% higher housing-related costs. “Prices in transport were mainly driven up by petrol and diesel fuel prices which rose by 14.3% and 32.3%, respectively. The increase in housing costs was primarily due to 9.4% more expensive electricity and the 19.5% increase in the cost of natural gas. The index rise was slowed down by the prices of clothing and footwear which fell by 3.9% in May year on year,” said Mark Herman Ilumets, consumer price statistics analyst at Statistics Estonia. 

In May, the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages rose by 0.9% compared with May 2025. “Prices were up by 4.8% for alcoholic beverages and by 16.1% for tobacco, which can partially be explained by increased excise duty rates, whereas tobacco excise duty has been raised twice over the last year,” explained Ilumets. 

Compared with May 2025, prices increased by 3.8% for fresh or frozen meat, by 4.5% for ready-made food, by 8.9% for fresh fruit-bearing vegetables and by 11.3% for eggs. Prices for fresh leafy and stem vegetables were down by 24.4% in May year on year. The price of butter has fallen for seven months in a row – in May, butter was 25.6% cheaper than in May last year.

Compared with April, the consumer price index for May was influenced the most by the increase in the prices of natural gas (23.9%), electricity (2.1%) and petrol (1.8%) as well as by the higher prices for holiday trips (18.6%), international flights (12.8%) and hotel accommodation (12%). The 8.4% lower cost of diesel fuel had the opposite effect on the index. Among food products, prices increased by 2.6% for fruits and nuts, including a 14.7% price increase for citrus fruits. Compared with April, prices in May were down by 7.8% for vegetables, by 15.2% for fresh berries, by 5.4% for fresh or frozen fish and by 2.4% for chocolate.

For the statistical activity “Consumer price index”, the main representative of public interest is the Ministry of Finance, commissioned by whom Statistics Estonia collects and analyses the data.

Data as at 5 June 2026 are published. The indicator values may change if there are any revisions made in the data sources after this date.

See also the consumer price index calculator and the prices section on our website.

More detailed data have been published in the statistical database.

When using Statistics Estonia’s data and graphs, please indicate the source.

For further information:

Annaliisa Köss
Media Relations Partner
Marketing and Dissemination Department
Statistics Estonia
Tel +372 5696 6484
press [at] stat.ee

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