Brussels:Annual inflation in the euro area accelerated to 3.8% in September 2026 from 3.2% in August, as reported by a flash estimate from Eurostat.

According to Anadolu Agency, energy recorded the highest annual rate among the main inflation components, soaring to 18.8% in September from 14.3% in August. The statistical office of the European Union highlighted this significant rise.

Services inflation rose to 3.2% in September compared to 3.0% in August, while prices for food, alcohol, and tobacco increased to 1.4% from 1.1%. In contrast, non-energy industrial goods inflation slightly decreased to 1.1% from 1.2% in August. Core inflation, which excludes energy, food, alcohol, and tobacco, edged up to 2.5% in September from 2.4%.

Among the euro area economies, Lithuania experienced the highest annual inflation rate at 6.1%, followed by Bulgaria at 5.6%, with Cyprus and Luxembourg each at 5.2%. Conversely, Malta recorded the lowest annual inflation rate at 2.4%, followed by Finland at 2.6% and Latvia at 2.9%.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices in the euro area increased by 0.6% in September.