According to the National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat), in May 2026, the inflation rate in Georgia compared to the previous month stood at 0.3%, while the annual inflation rate reached 5.7%. The core inflation rate in May 2026 compared to the same period last year was 3.8%, while the annual core inflation rate excluding tobacco products was recorded at 3.5%.
“The monthly inflation rate was primarily driven by price changes in the following categories:
Transport — prices rose by 3.2%, contributing 0.39 percentage points to the monthly inflation rate. Price increases were recorded in the operation of personal transport equipment (by 4.8%), transport services (by 0.4%), and the purchase of vehicles (by 0.2%).
Food and non-alcoholic beverages – prices decreased by 0.6%, reducing the monthly inflation rate by 0.22 percentage points. Price drops were recorded for vegetables and melons (-7.5%), milk, cheese, and eggs (-1.9%), oils and fats (-0.2%), bread and bakery products (-0.1%), and sugar, jam, and other confectionery (-0.1%).
At the same time, prices rose for fruit and grapes (3.2%), mineral and spring water, non-alcoholic beverages, and natural juices (2.4%), coffee, tea, and cocoa (1.5%), fish and seafood (1.1%), and meat and meat products (0.8%).
Communication – prices decreased by 3.2%, reducing the monthly inflation rate by 0.1 percentage points.
Regarding annual inflation, the main drivers were price changes in the following categories:
Food and non-alcoholic beverages – prices rose by 5.2%, contributing 1.84 percentage points to annual inflation. Prices increased for:
- fish and seafood — by 20.9%;
- meat and meat products — by 10.1%;
- bread and bakery products — by 7.0%;
- fruit and grapes — by 6.5%;
- oils and fats — by 6.1%;
- sugar, jam, and other confectionery — by 6.0%;
- coffee, tea, and cocoa — by 5.4%;
- milk, cheese, and eggs — by 4.1%;
- mineral and spring water, non-alcoholic beverages, and natural juices — by 1.5%.
Meanwhile, the prices of vegetables and melons decreased by 7.0%.
Transport – prices rose by 15.1%, contributing 1.72 percentage points to annual inflation. Increases were recorded in the operation of personal transport equipment (22.7%) and transport services (9.3%).
Housing, water, electricity, and gas – prices rose by 7.0%, impacting the overall index by 0.66 percentage points. Prices increased for electricity, gas, and other fuels (10.3%), maintenance and repair of dwellings (5.9%), and actual rentals for housing (4.6%).
Alcoholic beverages and tobacco – prices rose by 7.2%, contributing 0.46 percentage points to annual inflation. Tobacco products became 8.1% more expensive, while alcoholic beverages rose by 6.4%.
Health – prices rose by 5.1%, impacting annual inflation by 0.43 percentage points. Price increases were recorded for medical products, appliances, and equipment (7.7%), outpatient services (3.0%), and hospital services (1.4%),” the statement said.
