Inflation in the eurozone accelerated to 3.8 percent in early autumn

At the end of the first month of autumn, inflation in the eurozone accelerated to 3.8 percent in annual terms. TASS reports an acceleration in the growth rate of consumer prices in the region, citing data from the Statistical Service of the European Union (Eurostat).

The result achieved in early autumn was the maximum since September 2023. By comparison, the inflation target set by the European Central Bank (ECB) is 2 percent. Thus, the discrepancy between official data on price dynamics and the target turned out to be almost twofold.

The acceleration in the growth rate of consumer prices in the region is recorded against the backdrop of a rapid increase in the retail cost of motor fuel. Thus, at the end of August 2026, the price of gasoline at gas stations in the EU increased by an average of 23.8 percent. The maximum rate of increase in fuel prices was noted in Bulgaria, Lithuania and Finland.

The sharp rise in prices for gasoline and diesel fuel in the region is largely due to the prolonged blockage of the Strait of Hormuz due to the war between the United States and Iran in the Middle East. The closure of a key logistics artery led to large-scale disruptions in the supply of energy resources, including petroleum products. A significant part of supplies before the escalation in the Middle East was aimed at European countries.