Inflation: Istat confirms a rise of 0.4% in May and 3.2% year-on-year

Istat has published the final estimate of consumer prices for May. It has confirmed the preliminary (+0.4% month-on-month and +3.2% year-on-year). In May 2026, inflation therefore rose to +3.2%. This acceleration is mainly driven by price pressures on unregulated energy goods, transport services, and recreational, cultural and personal care services.

Food prices, on the other hand, are acting as a brake on inflation, with the slowdown in these prices also reflected in the trend in ‘shopping basket’ prices (from +2.3% to +1.9%); core inflation rose to +1.7% (from +1.6%). The projected inflation rate for 2026, as of May, stands at +2.6%.