Malta Inflation Hits 10-Month Low

Malta’s annual inflation rate eased to 2.3% in January 2026 from an upwardly revised 2.5% in December, marking the lowest level since March 2025. Prices slowed in transport (1.6% vs 2.7%), housing and utilities (1.7% vs 1.8%), furnishings, household equipment and routine maintenance (1.8% vs 2.2%), and alcoholic beverages and tobacco (1.7% vs 2.2%). In contrast, costs were unchanged for food and non-alcoholic beverages (3.7%) and health (3.3%). Inflation rose in recreation and culture (3.9% vs 3.4%), education (4.4% vs 4.3%), restaurants and hotels (3.7% vs 3.1%), and miscellaneous goods and services (3.8% vs 3.5%), while deflation eased for clothing and footwear (-2.7% vs -3.2%) and communication (-2.6% vs -5.5%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices fell 0.6%, following a 0.4% decline in the previous month.