The annual inflation rate in the Czech Republic increased to 2.1% year-on-year in May 2026, slowing from 2.5% in the previous month, confirming preliminary estimates. Price growth moderated across several categories, including alcoholic beverages and tobacco (3.7% vs 5.2% in April), recreation, sports and culture (3.0% vs 3.4%), health (2.8% vs 4.0%), information and communication (2.5% vs 3.4%), furnishings, household equipment and routine maintenance (1.1% vs 1.4%), and personal care, social protection, and miscellaneous goods and services (3.3% vs 3.5%). Meanwhile, deflation persisted for food and non-alcoholic beverages (-1.9% vs -1.3%) and clothing and footwear (-2.5% vs -2.4%). Conversely, inflation increased for housing and utilities (1.3% vs 1.2%), transport (9.4% vs 8.7%), education (4.0% vs 3.9%), and restaurants and hotels (4.4% vs 4.3%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices eased 0.1% in May from a 0.5% increase in April and marking the softest monthly gain since February.