Italy’s annual inflation rate rose to 1.7% in March 2026 from 1.5% in February, slightly below expectations of 1.8%, preliminary estimates showed. This marked the highest reading since July last year, largely driven by a slower decline in energy prices, with regulated energy falling less sharply (-1.3% vs -11.6% in February) and unregulated energy also easing its drop (-2.4% vs -6.2%). Meanwhile, inflation for unprocessed food accelerated to 4.4% from 3.7%. In contrast, services inflation slowed to 2.8% from 3.6%, reflecting weaker price growth in recreational, cultural, and personal care services (3.0% vs 4.9%), transport services (2.4% vs 2.8%), and housing-related services (4.2% vs 4.5%). Core inflation, which excludes energy and fresh food, eased to 1.9% from 2.4%, while inflation excluding energy alone slowed to 2.1% from 2.5%. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.5%, following a 0.7% gain in February. The HICP increased 1.5% year-on-year and 1.6% month-on-month.