Since 2026 – Methodological Changes in Consumer Price Indices
Starting January 2026, the State Data Agency (Statistics Lithuania) will update the compilation of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), and the HICP at Constant Tax Rates (HICP-CT). Changes include a transition to a new Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose, updating the base period for price indices, inclusion of gambling in the HICP coverage, as well as integration of electronic transaction records (scanner data) into the calculation of consumer price indices.
Please note that January 2026 will be a transitional period: in January, information will be published according to the previously applied index calculation method, but in February 2026, the data (i.e., indices for January) will already be published based on the updated consumer price index calculations.
New classifier: COICOP 2018 (ECOICOP ver. 2)
For the grouping of consumer goods and services, the transition is made from COICOP 1999 to the COICOP 2018 classifier. The ECOICOP classifier used for HICP is replaced with ECOICOP ver. 2, which is equivalent to the COICOP 2018 classifier. This update ensures that the breakdown of consumer goods and services better reflects current consumption patterns and is internationally comparable.
Key changes:
- the new classifier will have 13 divisions (previously, 12);
- the former division “Miscellaneous goods and services” will be split into two divisions: “Insurance and financial services” and “Personal care, social protection, and miscellaneous goods and services”;
- the division “Communications” will be renamed to “Information and communication”;
- some consumer goods and services will be moved to other categories, so historical data time series will be reclassified and recalculated according to the new structure.
New price index base period: 2025 = 100
Starting January 2026, the CPI, HICP, and HICP-CT will be published with a new price index base period: instead of 2015 = 100, 2025 = 100 will be used. Changing the price index base period is a regular update that improves the clarity and usability of the index, as it is easier to interpret indices whose values are closer to 100 rather than much higher. This change will not affect the published overall price change (inflation), while detailed price changes may differ due to the updated classification.
In the Database of Indicators, consumer price index time series with the 2015 base (2015 = 100) will no longer be updated as of January 2026; instead, time series with the 2025 base (2025 = 100) will be published.
Gambling (games of chance) in HICP coverage
Starting January 2026, gambling expenditures: lotteries, betting, and gaming will be included in the HICP coverage. This change is implemented in accordance with European Union regulatory provisions.
Electronic transaction records (scanner data) and traditional price collection
Starting January 2026, scanner data will be incorporated into the calculation of consumer price indices, complementing or replacing prices traditionally collected by price collectors. The integration of scanner data will allow for a more accurate and comprehensive reflection of actual purchase flows and calculation of price changes.
Scanner data will be used for the following consumption groups:
- for food products;
- for non-alcoholic beverages;
- for alcoholic beverages;
- for tobacco products;
- for pharmaceutical products.
It is also planned to discontinue price collection in Ignalina, Rokiškis, Varėna, and Kelmė, as price changes in these towns do not have a significant impact on the overall national price change.
New statistical information on consumer price changes
The Database of Indicators on the Official Statistics Portal will be supplemented with new statistical information:
- Starting with January 2026 data, price changes for 84 essential consumer goods and services will be published (overall and for the 5 major cities).
- In March 2026, annual and average annual price changes for prescription non-reimbursable and non-prescription medicinal products for the year 2025 will be published.
All updated CPI, HICP, and HICP-CT statistical information (including recalculated historical time series) will be provided on the Official Statistics Portal according to the 2026 statistical information release calendar.
Last updated: 19-12-2025
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