Brussels, October 02 (QNA) - Annual inflation in the eurozone rose to 3.8% in September, up from 3.2% in August and reaching its highest level in three years, according to Eurostat.

Energy prices recorded the strongest increase among the main components, rising 18.8% in September compared with 14.3% the previous month.

Services inflation increased to 3.2%, while food prices rose by 1.4%. Inflation in non-energy industrial goods slowed slightly to 1.1%, down 0.1 percentage points from August.

Core inflation, which excludes energy and food prices, also increased, reaching 2.5%, up from 2.4% in August.

The latest figures come as the European Central Bank continues to monitor price pressures across the eurozone. Headline inflation is now well above the ECB's 2% target, increasing pressure on households and businesses.

The ECB has raised its key interest rate twice this year to 2.5% and has left open the possibility of further monetary policy tightening in the coming months in response to persistent inflationary pressures. (QNA)