Hungary and the Czech Republic saw inflation drop to 1.4% in February 2026, below forecasts, due to lower energy costs and stable currencies, though core inflation remains high.

In February 2026, Hungary's inflation slowed to 1.4% year-on-year, down from 2.1% in January, driven by lower energy prices and a stable currency, with core inflation holding at 2.1%. Prices rose 0.1% monthly, with services and tobacco/alcohol leading increases, while food and fuel prices saw modest changes. The result came below the 1.7% forecast. In the Czech Republic, inflation also fell to 1.4%, the lowest since 2016, due to declining food and energy costs, though core inflation remained elevated at 2.7%. Both countries face ongoing risks from rising global energy prices amid Middle East tensions.