The Central Statistical Office (GUS) published preliminary data on the level of consumer goods and services prices in October 2026. According to the quick estimate, the inflation index was set at 3.5% in annual terms, meaning an increase compared to the same month of the previous year. On a monthly basis, prices decreased slightly, dropping by 0.4%. It is worth noting that the published values are of an estimative nature and may be subject to correction in the final statistical publication.
Among the main expenditure categories, price increases dominate in the energy and fuel sector. Prices of fuels and lubricants for private means of transport recorded the most dynamic growth on an annual scale, reaching 21.7%. The increase in prices of electricity, gas, and other fuels was 6.0% compared to the previous year. Significant, albeit slightly lower than in the case of fuels, price hikes also applied to food and non-alcoholic beverages, which rose by 9.9% year-on-year.
Change in CPI classification
It is worth referring to a methodological change that has affected the way data is presented. From 2026, the CPI (Consumer Price Index) is calculated in accordance with the new international COICOP 2018 classification. This means that comparing current results with historical data from before the implementation of the new standards may require caution due to the different structure of the surveyed categories. For users, this means that from this year, statistics reflect current, internationally standardized rules for grouping goods and services.