Stats: Inflation Reached 4 percent in March, Highest Level in 15 Months

Bratislava, April 15 (TASR) - Inflation reached 4 percent year-on-year (y-o-y) in March, with a slight acceleration in its growth rate, the Statistics Office reported on Tuesday. Prices rose across all 12 monitored sectors, ranging from 1.1 percent in transport to 10.6 percent in education. The overall increase in inflation was driven mainly by higher prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages, which were up 3.2 percent y-o-y. Within this category, non-alcoholic beverages continued to become notably more expensive, rising by 15 percent, with double-digit growth recorded for mineral waters and juices, as well as for coffee, tea and cocoa. Y-o-y price increases were recorded in six out of nine food categories. Oils and fats saw a significant rise of over 13 percent. Prices were also 4 to 7 percent higher for milk, cheese and eggs, as well as for fruit, sugar, and confectionery. Conversely, meat and vegetables were up to 2.6 percent cheaper. Y-o-y inflation continued to be significantly influenced by higher prices in the segment of restaurants and hotels, which increased by 8.7 percent. Prices of alcoholic beverages and tobacco increased by 5.9 percent. Housing and energy prices rose by 2.4 percent, with a more moderate growth rate. Compared to February 2025, consumer prices grew in nine out of the 12 sectors, ranging from 0.2 percent for housing and energy to 1.7 percent for clothing and footwear. Transport became cheaper by 1.5 percent, while food and non-alcoholic beverages went down by 0.1 percent. The biggest impact on month-on-month (m-o-m) inflation came from higher prices in the restaurants and hotels sector. Developments in the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages had a positive impact on m-o-m inflation, as they dropped by 0.1 percent after two months of increases. This sector represents the second-largest share of household expenditures. Of the food categories, seven out of nine became cheaper. The prices of oils and fats when compared to February dropped by 4.1 percent, fruit by 1.3 percent, vegetables by 0.9 percent, and meat by 0.3 percent. Conversely, the prices of milk, cheese, and eggs rose by 0.9 percent, as did those of bread and cereals (by 0.7 percent). Prices across the entire sector were pushed up by the continued rise in non-alcoholic beverages, which increased by 1.4 percent. lin/df