Inflation rises in France

Inflation in France reached 3.1% year-on-year in September, the highest level in nearly three years, according to final data released by Insee on October 15. This is up from an initial estimate of 3% and marks the highest annual rate since January 2024.

Monthly price drop observed

Consumer prices in France fell by 0.3% in September compared to August, primarily due to seasonal decreases in tourism and transportation-related services. This follows a 0.7% increase in August.

Energy prices drive inflation

The annual inflation rate increased by 0.7 percentage points from August, largely due to rising energy prices. Energy prices rose by 21.3% year-on-year in September, with diesel prices up 44.1% and gasoline prices up 25.7% compared to the same period last year.

Other sectors contribute to inflation

Inflation is not only driven by energy. Prices for services increased by 2.4% year-on-year, with air transport prices rising by 10%. Food prices also increased by 1.4%, with some fresh products like tomatoes and zucchini seeing year-on-year price jumps of 35.8%.

Seasonal factors lower monthly prices

Despite the annual increase in inflation, consumer prices fell slightly between August and September, mainly due to seasonal decreases in transport and accommodation costs. This follows a period of price moderation in early 2026, when inflation was limited to 0.3%.

Next inflation data due soon

Insee will release the next inflation report covering October on October 30, providing updated insights into price trends in France.