In a welcome development for consumers, the Central Statistical Office (CSO) reported that inflation in September 2025 showed a modest deceleration compared to previous months. The inflation rate for September stood at one per cent, a notable drop from the 1.4 per cent recorded in August. This marks a significant shift from the 0.4 per cent rate observed during the same period in 2024. The all-items index, which tracks the average price movement of goods and services purchased by households, registered at 125.4 in September, reflecting a 0.2 per cent decline from August. Food prices, a major component of household expenditure, also saw a reduction, with the food and non-alcoholic beverages index falling by 0.8 per cent. This decrease was attributed to lower prices for staple items such as tomatoes, fresh whole chickens, and melongene, among others. However, this trend was partially counterbalanced by price hikes in other everyday essentials like cucumbers, Irish potatoes, and bottled water. The clothing and footwear index dropped by 0.3 per cent, while the health index saw a marginal decline of 0.1 per cent. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco experienced a slight increase of 0.1 per cent, with other categories remaining stable. These figures, derived from data collected nationwide, provide a comprehensive snapshot of consumer price movements in September. The CSO’s report, released four days after the government’s 2025/2026 budget presentation, offers the first official insight into post-budget inflation trends. The agency emphasized that its consumer price index is compiled using data from a wide range of retail and service providers, ensuring an accurate reflection of price changes across the country.