Inflation in the Euro area reached 3.8% in September 2026, up from 3.2% in August, according to European Central Bank (ECB) estimates. Values vary, with Lithuania leading at 6.1%, followed by Bulgaria (5.6%) and Luxembourg and Cyprus at 5.2%. Malta recorded the lowest increase at 2.4%.
Energy is the main driver, with prices rising 18.9% in September as the war in the Middle East halted liquefied natural gas production, fuelled gas-price volatility and sent the global energy market into shock.