Greek inflation spikes to 5.2% in May, pushing up housing and energy costs

In May, Greece's consumer price index rose 5.2% year‑on‑year, up from 2.5% in the same month a year earlier, according to ELSTAT data. The surge was driven by sharp increases in housing (11.6% rise in the housing component, with rents up 7.7%), transport (11.5% overall, including gasoline up 21.5% and airline tickets up 19.2%), and hospitality (hotels, cafés and restaurants up 8.5%). Food prices rose 3.5% and other categories such as natural gas (21%) and heating oil (53.2%) also saw large jumps.

The government, represented by Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos, announced negotiations with food producers and supermarket chains to seek cuts in staple product prices. The sharp inflationary pressure reflects broader cost‑of‑living strains on Greek households.