Inflation in the eurozone rose to 3.2% in August, a tenth below expectations

Inflation in the euro area rose to 3.2% in year-on-year terms, three tenths higher than in the previous month, but one tenth lower than the previous estimate, according to data published this Thursday by the Community statistical office, Eurostat.

The price of energy, which rose 14.3 per cent from August last year, recorded its most significant increase; the price of services rose by 3 per cent, fresh food by 2.7 per cent, non-energy industrial goods by 1.2 per cent and processed food by 0.5 per cent.

Moreover, the underlying inflation rate  (which excludes energy, fresh food, alcohol, and tobacco prices, and is the ECB's main benchmark for monetary policy) has not fluctuated significantly, losing a tenth in August compared to July (2.4%).

The shopping basket became even more expensive in August in all major economies, the largest in the Spanish state, with its inflation rate rising by six tenths to 4.6%, according to the harmonised Eurostat estimate (a tenth more than the previous estimate).

A week after the European Central Bank (ECB) raised interest rates.

The European Central Bank updated its inflation forecasts last Thursday, with an increase in the shopping basket of 3% in 2026 (unchanged from previous projections in June), 2.5% in 2027 (2.3% in the previous one) and 2.1% in 2028 (2% in the previous one).