Austria’s Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) picked up pace in September 2026, rising 3.5% year-over-year, according to data updated on 2 October 2026. This marks an acceleration from August 2026, when the HICP stood at 2.9% compared with the same month a year earlier.
The HICP figures are calculated on a harmonised basis across the European Union, allowing for consistent comparison between member states. The September reading shows that, after easing in August, Austrian inflation pressures strengthened again heading into the autumn, with the latest “actual” figure comparing price levels in September 2026 to those in September 2025, while the “previous” figure reflected August 2026 against August 2025.
The rebound in the year-over-year rate suggests that underlying price dynamics remain volatile, and it may complicate the inflation outlook for Austria after a brief period of moderation in late summer. Further data in the coming months will help clarify whether September’s uptick is a temporary fluctuation or the start of a renewed upward trend in consumer prices.
