Change in consumer prices in the European Union, June 2025

Released: 24 July 2025

Harmonised index of consumer prices (HICP)

According to the harmonised index of consumer prices, ensuring the comparability of inflation in EU member countries, consumer prices were 2.3% higher on average in the European Union in June 2025 than in the same period of the previous year. Within the EU, inflation was highest in Romania and Estonia (5.8% and 5.2%, respectively). Hungary, together with Slovakia, was the third in the order of the member states, with an average consumer price rise of 4.6%. There was a price increase exceeding the EU average in the other two Visegrád countries, too, at 3.4% in Poland and 2.8% in Czechia. The lowest inflation rates within the EU, at 0.5% and 0.9%, were measured for Cyprus and France, respectively.

Compared to the previous month, consumer prices were up by 0.3% in the EU as a whole and by 0.2% in Hungary. The price level increased at a similar rate (by 0.1–0.3%) in the other three Visegrád countries as well over one month.

National consumer price index (CPI)

According to national consumer price indices, too, published on the websites of national statistical offices – and suitable for international comparisons only to a limited extent –, consumer prices rose the most in Romania and Estonia (by 5.7% and 5.0%, respectively) in June 2025 compared to a year earlier. In Hungary, inflation was 4.6% according to this methodology as well.

In Hungary, food cost 6.2% more on average than in June 2024. Egg, flour, edible oil, coffee, chocolate and cocoa as well as fresh fruit prices went up significantly, by 18–26%. The price of meals at restaurants and canteens grew by 9.1%, at a rate exceeding the average, and food inflation was 4.9% excluding catering services. Within the product group, margarine became 31%, milk products on average 7.2%, other meat preparations 6.9% and pork 2.0% cheaper. The consumer price of electricity, gas and other fuels rose by 8.6%, within which 18% more was to be paid for natural and manufactured gas and 5.8% more for butane and propane gas than in the same month of the previous year. Motor fuels cost 1.0% less, while alcoholic beverages and tobacco and consumer durables 6.3% and 2.6% more, respectively, for consumers. Service charges were 5.4% higher in total than a year earlier, within which postal service prices, rents, dwelling and vehicle repairs and maintenance prices, personal care and household service prices as well as theatre, cinema and other public entertainment ticket prices increased the most, by 9–11%.

The National Bank of Hungary forecast an inflation of 4.7% for 2025 in its Inflation Report in June. The rate of consumer price rise in the European Union may be 2.3% in 2025 as a whole according to the expectations of the European Commission.