BRUSSELS / RankWire.AI / – Euro area annual inflation rose to an estimated 3.3% in August 2026, from 2.9% in July. Energy prices increased sharply during the month. Eurostat reported the flash estimate on Sept. 1. The inflation rate had stood at 2.8% in June and 2.0% in August 2025. Consumer prices increased 0.4% from July, according to the harmonised index of consumer prices.
Energy recorded the highest annual rate among the main components at 14.3%, up from 10.3% in July. Energy prices also rose 2.9% on the month. Services inflation eased to 3.0% from 3.3% in July. Inflation for non-energy industrial goods increased to 1.2% from 0.9%. Food, alcohol and tobacco inflation remained at 1.2%, unchanged from the previous month.
Measures that remove selected categories showed smaller changes during August. Inflation excluding energy stood at 2.2%, unchanged from July. The rate excluding energy, food, alcohol and tobacco eased to 2.4% from 2.5%. Inflation excluding energy and unprocessed food fell to 2.1% from 2.2%. These measures track consumer price changes after specific components are removed from the overall inflation index.
Energy inflation accelerates as services rate eases
Inflation varied widely across the euro area’s 21 member countries in August. Lithuania recorded the highest estimate at 5.8%, followed by Cyprus at 5.2% and Bulgaria at 5.1%. Spain stood at 4.5%, Belgium at 4.2% and Luxembourg at 4.0%. At the lower end, Estonia recorded 1.3%, Malta 1.9% and Finland 2.4%. Germany registered 2.9%, while France stood at 2.7% and Italy at 3.2%.
Monthly price movements also differed across member countries. Belgium posted a 2.1% monthly increase, while Luxembourg rose 1.8% and Cyprus increased 1.5%. France and Bulgaria each recorded increases of 0.8% from July. Ireland, Spain and Malta each rose 0.6%. Finland recorded a monthly decline of 0.4%, while Slovakia showed no monthly change. Germany increased 0.2%, and Italy recorded a 0.1% rise.
Euro area now covers 21 member countries
The euro area now covers 21 countries after Bulgaria joined the currency bloc on Jan. 1, 2026. Data through December 2025 reflect the previous 20-member composition. Figures from January 2026 onward cover the expanded group. The European Union statistical framework uses a chain-index formula when the composition of the euro area changes. The August flash estimate therefore reflects the current 21-country membership of the single-currency area.
The August figures remain a flash estimate, with the complete harmonised consumer-price data scheduled for release on Sept. 17, 2026. The next flash estimate, covering September inflation, is scheduled for Oct. 2. The harmonised index measures changes in prices paid by households for consumer goods and services. Annual inflation compares prices with the same month one year earlier. Monthly inflation measures changes from the immediately preceding month.