Annual inflation in France accelerated for a third consecutive month, reaching 3% in September. This is the highest level since February 2024.
In August inflation had stood at 2.4%, while analysts expected it to rise to 2.8%.
Energy prices accelerated again, recording an increase of 21.2%, compared with 16.7% in August, mainly due to higher prices for petroleum products and natural gas.
Inflation in services also increased, to 2.2% from 1.9%, partly because the seasonal decline in prices for accommodation and transport is estimated to be smaller compared with September 2025.
Food prices increased at a faster pace, by 1.5%, compared with 1.1% the previous month, with the greatest pressures recorded in fresh products.
On a monthly basis, the consumer price index fell by 0.3%, after the 0.7% increase in August.
Based on the consumer price index harmonized with the European Union, prices increased by 3.4% annually, to the highest level since January 2024 and above forecasts for 3.1%. On a monthly basis, the harmonized consumer price index fell by 0.4%.
4.9% in Spain
Annual inflation in Spain accelerated to 4.9% in September, to the highest level since March 2023, from 4.3% in August and against a forecast of 4.7%.
The acceleration is mainly due to higher prices of fuels and lubricants for private vehicles, which increased in September, in contrast to the decline they had recorded in the same month of 2025.
It was also affected by package holidays, whose prices fell less than in September 2025.
On a monthly basis, the consumer price index increased by 0.3%, after the rise of 0.7% in August.
Core inflation rose to 3.1% from 2.9%, recording the highest level since March 2024.
Based on the harmonized consumer price index with the European Union, annual inflation exceeded 5%, to the highest level since February 2023, compared with 4.6% in August.
On a monthly basis, the harmonized index increased by 0.6%, after the rise of 0.7% in the previous month.