Belgium’s annual inflation rate rose to 4.07% in April 2026, up from 1.65% in March, reaching its highest level since January 2025. The increase was largely driven by energy prices, which jumped 10.58% after having fallen 4.41% in the previous month. Within energy, natural gas prices swung to an 11.4% increase from a 14.7% decline, while motor fuel prices surged 27.4%.
The main contributor to inflation was the transport category, where price growth accelerated to 7.8% from 5.0%. This was followed by alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics (2.46% versus 0.36% in March), information and communication (3.49% versus 2.97%), recreation and culture (6.85% versus 5.27%), and miscellaneous goods and services (1.76% versus 0.96%).
At the same time, prices rebounded in several key sectors. Food and non-alcoholic beverages shifted to a 1.89% increase after a 0.87% decline, while housing and utilities rose 3.02% following a 3.00% drop in March.
On a monthly basis, consumer prices climbed 1.47% in April, the fastest pace since October 2022, after a modest 0.12% increase in the previous month.
