Italy’s annual inflation rate accelerated to 1.6% in February 2026 from 1.0% in January, preliminary estimates showed. This marks the highest reading since late September, mainly driven by higher prices for recreational, cultural, and personal care services, transport-related services (+3.0%), and unprocessed food (+3.6%), while processed food rose more modestly (+1.7%). Meanwhile, costs declined for energy, both regulated (-11.3%) and unregulated (-6.2%), contributing to a moderating effect. Goods prices remained slightly down (-0.2%), whereas services rose 3.6%. On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased 0.8%, the largest gain since October 2022, pushed by higher costs for tobacco (+3.3%), services for recreation and personal care (+2.1%), transport services (+2.0%), and unprocessed food (+1.1%). Core inflation, excluding energy and fresh food, rose to 2.4%, while inflation excluding energy alone climbed to 2.5%. The HICP rose 1.6% year-on-year and 0.6% month-on-month.