Austria recorded a notable drop in consumer prices at the start of 2026, with the country’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) falling by 0.70% month-over-month in January. This marks a reversal from December 2025, when prices had still been rising modestly, with a 0.31% month-on-month increase.
The latest data, updated on 4 February 2026, show that on a month-over-month basis, price dynamics weakened significantly as the year began. While December’s reading reflected moderate inflationary pressure compared with the previous month, January’s figure points to a contraction in overall price levels compared with December.
The comparison framework clarifies that both the current and previous indicators measure changes relative to the immediately preceding month. In this context, the swing from a 0.31% increase in December 2025 to a 0.70% decline in January 2026 highlights a sharp short-term shift in Austria’s inflation trend at the turn of the year.