Consumer prices in Germany rose by 2.8 per cent in October compared with the same month last year. This was down from 3.3 per cent in September 2026, when inflation reached its highest level of the year. The statistics office thereby confirmed its initial estimate published two weeks earlier.
“The development of energy prices remained the main reason for the continued high inflation rate, although the fuel tax relief reintroduced at the beginning of October is likely to have dampened price increases somewhat,” explained Ruth Brand, President of the Federal Statistical Office, on Wednesday.
According to the latest figures, energy product prices increased by 12.2 per cent. In September, the increase stood at 14.9 per cent. “The price developments observed on the crude oil market since the beginning of the Iran war were also felt by consumers in October 2026,” the statisticians explained.
Despite the fuel tax relief, fuel prices were 28.9 per cent higher than in October 2025. Heating oil also recorded a particularly sharp increase, rising by 84.5 per cent. Electricity and natural gas prices, on the other hand, saw a slight decline. The Federal Statistical Office attributed this partly to government measures, including the abolition of the gas storage levy and subsidies for electricity transmission network charges.
Food prices increased by an average of 0.4 per cent. The inflation rate for food had also been significantly below average in September. However, some individual products became considerably more expensive. Egg prices rose by 15.4 per cent, fresh vegetables by 11.5 per cent and fish by 4.5 per cent. In contrast, cooking oils, dairy products and fresh fruit were cheaper than in the same month last year.
Inflation in the services sector stood at 2.5 per cent, also below the overall average. More significant price increases were recorded for services provided by social care institutions, car repair workshops, hairdressers and other personal care services. Prices for telecommunications services, on the other hand, remained stable.
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