ISTANBUL, September 1, 2026 — Retail prices in Istanbul increased by 1.66% month-on-month in August, while the annual increase reached 34.96%, according to data released by the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO).
The figures were published as part of the ITO Istanbul Consumer Price Index for August 2026.
Education Costs Lead Monthly Increases
Education expenses recorded the sharpest monthly increase in August, rising 17.28%.
Other major increases were recorded in:
- Alcoholic beverages and tobacco: 8.22%
- Housing: 2.32%
- Transportation: 1.43%
- Household goods: 1.41%
- Miscellaneous goods and services: 1.35%
- Entertainment and culture: 1.11%
- Communications: 0.86%
- Restaurants and hotels: 0.72%
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 0.20%
Meanwhile, prices for clothing and footwear declined by 0.08%, while there was no change in health-related prices.
Seasonal and Public-Sector Price Adjustments Influence Inflation
According to the ITO, the August inflation reading was influenced by periodic and publicly administered price changes affecting certain products and services in the education, alcoholic beverages and tobacco, housing, and transportation categories.
Seasonal developments also played a role in food and non-alcoholic beverage prices, while declines in clothing and footwear prices had a downward impact on the overall index.
As a result, education recorded the largest monthly increase at 17.28%, while clothing and footwear posted the largest decline at 0.08%.
Source: Patronlar Dünyası/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök