Belgium’s annual inflation rate accelerated to 3.97% in August 2026, up from 3.56% in July, marking the fastest pace in three months. Energy prices rose sharply, with inflation in the sector climbing to 16.47% from 10.59%, while electricity inflation edged down slightly to 7.8% from 7.9%.
Price growth also intensified in several categories: alcoholic beverages and tobacco (2.41% vs 1.22% in July), clothing and footwear (2.97% vs 1.21%), housing and utilities (6.92% vs 4.88%), furniture and household equipment (0.46% vs 0.41%), transportation (5.29% vs 5.23%), information and communication (1.64% vs 0.92%), and insurance and financial services (3.69% vs 3.43%).
In contrast, inflation eased for food and non-alcoholic beverages (0.26% vs 0.29%), health (6.62% vs 6.66%), recreation and culture (8.16% vs 8.90%), and miscellaneous goods and services (1.68% vs 1.80%).
On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose by 0.41% in August, slowing from a 0.63% increase in July.
