Germany’s consumer price inflation climbed to 2.1% in January 2026, confirming preliminary data and signaling firmer price pressures at the start of the year, notably in food and services. On a monthly basis, consumer prices edged up 0.1% from December, as declines in energy costs partially offset increases elsewhere, the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) reported.
Energy costs fell 1.7% year‑on‑year. Household electricity prices were down 3.2% and natural gas fell 2.5%, supported by lower network charges and the removal of the gas storage levy. By contrast, food inflation accelerated to 2.1% year‑on‑year, up from 0.8% in December. Confectionery, including sweets and chocolate, showed especially sharp increases, while prices also rose for fruit and meat. Some items were cheaper than a year earlier, with butter, edible oils and potatoes seeing notable declines.
Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, remained elevated at 2.5%. Service prices rose 3.2% year‑on‑year, driven by higher costs in social services, transport and housing-related charges such as rent. Destatis president Ruth Brand said consumer price increases intensified at the beginning of the year, with food prices rising more markedly than in previous months.
Edited by: Roshni Majumdar