Eurozone Inflation Hits 2-1/2-Year High

2026-06-02 09:10 By Joana Ferreira 1 min. read

Eurozone consumer price inflation reached 3.2% in May 2026, up from 3.0% in April and matching market expectations, according to preliminary data.

This marks the highest rate since September 2023, staying significantly above the European Central Bank’s 2.0% target.

Energy costs surged 10.9%, the steepest rise since February 2023, fueled by supply constraints tied to the Middle East conflict.

Prices also accelerated for services (3.5% vs. 3.0% in April) and non-energy industrial goods (0.9% vs. 0.8%), while inflation for food, alcohol, and tobacco eased (2.0% vs. 2.4%).

The core rate, excluding energy and food, climbed to 2.5% from 2.2%, suggesting broadening price pressures beyond energy.

Among major Eurozone economies, inflation picked up in Spain (3.6% vs. 3.5%), the Netherlands (3.4% vs. 2.5%), Italy (3.3% vs. 2.8%), and France (2.8% vs. 2.5%), but slowed in Germany (2.7% vs. 2.9%).



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Eurozone Inflation Hits 2-1/2-Year High
Eurozone consumer price inflation reached 3.2% in May 2026, up from 3.0% in April and matching market expectations, according to preliminary data. This marks the highest rate since September 2023, staying significantly above the European Central Bank’s 2.0% target. Energy costs surged 10.9%, the steepest rise since February 2023, fueled by supply constraints tied to the Middle East conflict. Prices also accelerated for services (3.5% vs. 3.0% in April) and non-energy industrial goods (0.9% vs. 0.8%), while inflation for food, alcohol, and tobacco eased (2.0% vs. 2.4%). The core rate, excluding energy and food, climbed to 2.5% from 2.2%, suggesting broadening price pressures beyond energy. Among major Eurozone economies, inflation picked up in Spain (3.6% vs. 3.5%), the Netherlands (3.4% vs. 2.5%), Italy (3.3% vs. 2.8%), and France (2.8% vs. 2.5%), but slowed in Germany (2.7% vs. 2.9%).
2026-06-02
Eurozone Inflation Confirmed at Highest Since 2023
The Euro Area’s annual inflation rate was confirmed at 3.0% in April 2026, the highest since September 2023 and significantly above the European Central Bank’s 2.0% target. Energy prices surged 10.8%, the sharpest increase since February 2023, driven by Middle East conflict-related supply constraints. Inflation also picked up for non-energy industrial goods (0.8% vs. 0.5% in March) and unprocessed food (4.6% vs. 4.2%). Meanwhile, price growth slowed for services (3.0% vs. 3.3%) and processed food, alcohol, and tobacco (1.6% vs. 1.7%). The core rate, excluding energy, food, alcohol, and tobacco, eased to 2.2% from 2.3%. Among the Eurozone’s major economies, inflation accelerated in Germany (2.9% vs. 2.8%), France (2.5% vs. 2.0%), Italy (2.8% vs. 1.6%), and Spain (3.5% vs. 3.4%), but moderated in the Netherlands (2.5% vs. 2.6%).
2026-05-20
Euro Area Inflation Rate Soars to 2023 High
Euro area annual inflation climbed to 3% in April 2026, the highest since September 2023, up from 2.6% in March and slightly above market expectations of 2.9%, according to a preliminary estimate. Energy costs soared 10.9%, the most since February 2023, driven by the Middle East conflict. Also, prices rose faster for non-energy industrial goods (0.8% vs 0.5%), and food, alcohol, and tobacco (2.5% vs 2.4%). On the other hand, services inflation slowed to 3.0%, from 3.2%. The core rate, excluding volatile energy, also cooled to 2.2% from 2.3%. Among the Eurozone’s largest economies, inflation accelerated in Germany (2.9% vs 2.8%), France (2.5% vs 2%), Italy (2.9% vs 1.6%) and Spain (3.5% vs 2.4%).
2026-04-30