Belgium’s inflation higher than France and Germany in 2025 due to energy prices

Belgium’s inflation rate was higher than in France and Germany last year, mainly because of rising energy prices, according to the annual report of the Price Observatory of the FPS Economy.

In 2025, average inflation in Belgium stood at 3.0%, compared with 0.9% in France and 2.3% in Germany. Inflation in the Netherlands was at the same level as in Belgium.

The difference was largely due to higher energy inflation in Belgium. Gas prices rose by 9.3% and electricity prices by 13.5%. The Economy Ministry pointed to three main factors: higher wholesale prices, increased network charges, and the impact of the end of support measures introduced during the energy crisis.

The high gas inflation can be put into perspective, the government said. Compared with neighbouring countries, the average household gas bill remains the lowest in Belgium. For electricity, only Germany is more expensive.

Inflation slowed over the course of the year. It fell from 4.6% in the first quarter to 2.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Price growth for services also continued to ease, dropping to 3.7% in 2025, after a peak of 6.3% in 2023. This was mainly due to lower inflation for housing rents, vehicle repairs and maintenance, and restaurants and cafés. Despite the slowdown, services inflation remains high and has become the main driver of overall inflation, the ministry said.

Inflation for processed food remained elevated, despite falling raw material prices. Prices for some products, including dairy, pastries and chocolate, continued to rise due to delays in cost transmission. Beef prices increased sharply, driven by supply shortages.

Prices for non-energy industrial goods remained broadly stable, supported by lower cost pressures and a stronger euro.

According to the report, inflation eased across most sectors in 2025. However, higher energy and services prices continued to weigh on Belgium’s inflation compared with France and Germany.

^{© BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK}