Charts of the Week
Charts of the week from 28 to 30 April 2026: consumer prices and turnover in market services
Inflation increased markedly year-on-year in April, rising from 2.5% in March to 3.1%, due to higher fuel prices related to the war in the Middle East; petroleum product prices contributed around 1 p.p. to year-on-year inflation. Year-on-year price growth in the food and non-alcoholic beverages group slowed to 1%, the lowest level since July 2024. Total real turnover in market services continued to increase slightly month-on-month in February; on average in the first two months, it was 5.4% higher year-on-year, while only the transport sector recorded a slight decline compared to the same period last year.
Consumer prices, April 2026
Year-on-year growth in consumer prices strengthened more markedly in April (3.1%) compared to March (2.5%), while prices increased by 1.9% month-on-month, the highest rise since June 2022 (2.7%). Prices of liquid fuels rose by almost one third (32.1%) month-on-month in April, driven by the war in the Middle East, while prices of motor fuels and lubricants increased by around one fifth (18.6%). Prices in the housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels group were around one tenth higher, and prices in the transport group were nearly 5% higher; together, they contributed almost two thirds of year-on-year inflation. Within this, prices of petroleum products (liquid fuels and motor fuels combined) increased by 17.5%. Year-on-year growth in prices in the food and non-alcoholic beverages group continued to slow, reaching 1%, the lowest level since July 2024. Prices of semi-durable goods were 2.2% lower year-on-year, reflecting somewhat less pronounced seasonal price increases in the clothing and footwear group, while prices of durable goods were also lower (by 0.4%). Year-on-year growth in services prices remained broadly stable (3.6%). Year-on-year inflation, measured by the HICP, stood at 3.4% in Slovenia in April, which is 0.4 p.p. above the estimated level in the euro area.
Turnover in market services, February 2026
Total real turnover in market services increased slightly in February (seasonally adjusted) and was also higher year-on-year. Turnover in information and communication has been strengthening since the second half of last year (particularly in computer services). In professional and technical activities, following a decline at the end of last year, turnover rebounded strongly in February, especially in architectural and engineering services. Turnover in accommodation and food service activities has been increasing since last spring. In transportation and storage, it declined somewhat in February, but has mostly stagnated since the end of 2024. In administrative and support service activities, turnover has been gradually increasing since the beginning of last year and has slightly exceeded its 2019 level since the start of this year (all seasonally adjusted). On average in the first two months, total real turnover was 5.4% higher year-on-year; only in transportation was it slightly lower than a year earlier (by 0.6%).