Inflation basket updated: Food decreased, transportation increased

The Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) has updated the product basket and corresponding weightings included in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as of the start of 2026. In this context, innovations were made to both the scope of the basket and the index calculation method to more accurately reflect household spending habits.

According to the TÜİK statement, 428 basic items and a total of 972 varieties belonging to these items will be taken into account in the index as of this year. It was observed that there were more changes in the products entering and leaving the basket compared to previous years. This situation emerged as a result of changes in the primary data source and the implementation of a new classification.

With the basket updated this year, 38 new items such as simit (bakery, market, and similar places), local cheeses, ready-made pizza and pastry, school uniforms, baby clothes, thermoses, and automobile appraisal fees were included in the list. On the other hand, 30 products, including cocoa, phyllo dough, ties, newspapers, and shaving supplies, were removed from the basket. Additionally, the sub-categories of some main products were diversified in line with consumer preferences; for example, diesel automobiles were completely removed from the basket, and sub-details for gasoline, electric, and hybrid automobiles were added in their place.

BASE YEAR AND CLASSIFICATION CHANGE IN CPI

The year 2025 was accepted as the base year for CPI calculations. Thus, the reference point for price indices was updated, and the "100" index level will now be determined according to the year 2025. This change provides an advantage in terms of international comparisons while limiting growth in index levels. Furthermore, goods and services were grouped according to the "Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose (COICOP-2018)" to better reflect consumption habits.

The number of main expenditure groups also increased; the main groups, which were previously 12, were increased to 13 with the new regulation. While digital products and content are now tracked as a separate group, insurance and financial services were also included among the new main groups to be calculated separately.

One of the most notable changes in weightings was the decrease in the ratio of food and non-alcoholic beverages from 24.96 percent to 24.44 percent. The share of housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels fell from 15.21 percent to 11.40 percent. In contrast, the weight of transportation increased, rising from 15.34 percent to 16.62 percent.

On the other hand, increases were also observed in the ratios of groups such as clothing and footwear, furniture, household equipment and maintenance, recreation and culture, restaurants and accommodation services, and personal care and social protection. The current ratios of the main expenditure groups are as follows: alcoholic beverages and tobacco 2.75 percent, health 2.79 percent, information and communication 3.10 percent, education 2.02 percent, clothing and footwear 7.90 percent, furniture and household maintenance 7.92 percent, recreation, sports, and culture 4.34 percent, restaurants and accommodation 11.13 percent, personal care, social protection, and miscellaneous services 4.49 percent, and insurance and financial services 1.07 percent.

In the basket update made every December, products with increasing weight in consumption expenditures are added to the basket, while those with decreasing importance are removed. However, the CPI basket and weightings remain fixed throughout the year.

In 2026, price compilation will be carried out with nearly 636 thousand 640 data points from 39 thousand 030 workplaces and 5 thousand 246 residences in 81 provinces and 239 districts. Approximately 51 percent of the total prices will be generated from data collected in the field.

In conclusion, it was stated that while these updates made by TÜİK have brought the consumption basket to a more realistic and contemporary structure, there will be no difference in the headline figure, excluding classification changes that may be seen in the sub-items of inflation.