French September Inflation Accelerates to 3.4%, Topping Forecasts on Energy Costs

France's harmonized inflation rate rose to 3.4% year-on-year in September, up sharply from 2.6% in August and exceeding analyst expectations, preliminary INSEE data showed on September 30, 2026. The increase was driven primarily by energy prices, with petroleum products and gas climbing, the statistics agency said. A Reuters poll of 19 analysts had projected 3.1%, with estimates ranging from 2.8% to 3.3%. France's domestic consumer price index rose 3.0% year-on-year, above the 2.8% forecast and up from 2.4% in August. Services inflation edged higher as seasonal declines in accommodation and transport prices were less pronounced than a year earlier. Food prices accelerated on fresh produce, while the decline in manufactured goods prices eased. On a monthly basis, the harmonized index fell 0.4%, versus a forecast of -0.5% and a 0.7% gain in August.