Malta’s annual inflation rate ticked up to 2.7% in August, from 2.4% in July, according to figures published by the National Statistics Office. The increase was mainly driven by higher food prices.

Food prices rose by 4.4% year-on-year, the steepest increase across all categories. Beverages and tobacco followed at 3.5%, while the “other goods and services” category — which includes items such as jewellery, pet products and household goods — also registered 3.5%.

On the other end of the scale, prices for water, electricity, gas and fuels remained flat at 0.0%, while housing costs grew by a more modest 1.0%.

The monthly inflation rate, which measures price changes between July and August, stood at 0.1%.

The NSO report shows that while Malta’s headline inflation has eased considerably from the highs seen in 2022 and early 2023, price pressures remain uneven across sectors. Essentials such as food continue to weigh heavily on households, even as energy-related costs stay stable.