Press release, 12.02.2026.

Press release on changes in consumer price index calculations

Following international methodological recommendations and legal requirements, the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (HCSO) will introduce changes in consumer price statistics in mid-year data supplies from 2026. Data compilations according to the new COICOP structure, the inclusion of games of chance, and the transition to the 2025 = 100 base will be applied in the harmonised index of consumer prices (HICP). For domestic consumer price indices (CPI), the tables published in accordance with the new COICOP structure were updated retrospectively.

COICOP’2018 is the latest international version of the COICOP nomenclature (classification of individual consumption expenditure of households by purpose), elaborated by the UN. The new classification structure uses a clearer and more consistent frame of structure, applies a more systematic separation of goods and services, and introduces a new, 13th aggregate group. The new classification better reflects changes in consumer habits, and gives a more detailed picture and enlarges sub-groups.

In accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/3159, amending Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/792, a new COICOP classification is applied from the reference month of January 2026 in calculating harmonised indices of consumer prices (HICP) and harmonised indices of consumer prices at constant tax rates (HICP-CT). According to the above Regulation, we will introduce another two significant changes in HICP with effect from January 2026: games of chance will be included in HICP and HICP-CT prices indices, and the base year will be modified (from the earlier 2015 = 100 base) to a 2025 = 100 base. The time series calculated retrospectively according to the new classification structure is available at Eurostat website (Database - Harmonised Indices of Consumer Prices (HICP) - Eurostat). To support users, Eurostat published Q&A (HICP improvements - Questions and Answers - 2026), which help a deeper understanding of the new COICOP nomenclature.

HCSO has already published domestic consumer price indices data in line with the new COICOP structure in 2025, too. The data were slightly revised back to 1996 to ensure harmony with the harmonised index of consumer prices.

In addition, the group of observed goods and services (i.e. representative items), and the weight of the different groups of goods and services within the consumer price index were revised, according to the earlier practice. Second-hand cars will be observed from now on by applying a hedonic price index, using the database of Használtautó.hu Kft., instead of the price index based on representative items.

The Office made co-operation agreements with many retail chain stores in 2025, in the frame of which it receives transaction data from chain stores, improving this way the timeliness and accuracy of the data collections. To enlarge the group of transaction data is a priority goal of development in consumer price statistics in 2026, too.

Hungarian Central Statistical Office
H-1024 Budapest, Keleti Károly utca 5–7. Phone number: (+36-1) 345-6000
Postal address: H-1525 Budapest, P.O.Box 51
www.ksh.hu