Belgian inflation rises above 2 per cent in September

Belgian inflation climbed back above 2 per cent in September after two months below that level, according to figures from statistics office Statbel. The rate reached 2.12 per cent, up from 1.91 per cent in August, mainly due to rising food prices.

Food inflation accelerated from 2.42 per cent in August to 3.32 per cent in September. Meat and coffee were among the products driving the increase, with beef and veal up 16.9 per cent and coffee 13.9 per cent compared with a year earlier. Chocolate, jewellery and household services also saw sharp price rises.

At the same time, energy prices continued to fall, dropping 1.48 per cent year-on-year. Technology products also became cheaper, with televisions down 16.1 per cent and smartphones down 14.2 per cent.

Core inflation, which excludes energy and unprocessed food, went up to 2.61 per cent. Service inflation was broadly stable at 3.47 per cent. Rents rose by just under 4 per cent.

The so-called wage index for civil servants and social benefits was not breached. The Federal Planning Bureau expects that threshold to be crossed only in January 2026, which would trigger a 2 per cent rise in public sector pay and benefits in April next year.

^{Meat is among the products driving the inflation increase © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM}