Madrid, September 29 (QNA) - Spain's annual inflation rate accelerated to 4.9 percent in September 2026, compared with 4.3 percent in August, exceeding the 4.7 percent forecast.
According to preliminary estimates from the Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE), the increase was mainly driven by higher prices for fuel and lubricants for motor vehicles, after they declined in September in 2025.
Prices of package holidays also contributed to the rise in inflation, as they fell at a slower pace compared with the same period in 2025.
On a monthly basis, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.3 percent in September, following a 0.7 percent increase in August.
In a sign that price pressures are broadening beyond energy components, core inflation rose to 3.1 percent from 2.9 percent in August, reaching its highest level since March 2024.
According to the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices used for comparisons among European Union countries, Spain's annual inflation rate stood at 5.0 percent in September, compared with 4.6 percent in August, while the index rose 0.6 percent on a monthly basis, compared with a 0.7 percent increase in the previous month. (QNA)