Italy’s annual inflation rate rose to 4.2% in September 2026 from 3.3% in the previous month, matching preliminary estimates. This marked the highest reading since September 2023, driven largely by higher energy prices, with inflation in regulated energy (25.8% vs. 18.6%) and unregulated energy (22.5% vs. 17.0%) accelerating significantly amid prolonged Middle East tensions. Moreover, prices rose faster for unprocessed food (5.5% vs. 3.8%), recreational, cultural, and personal care services (2.9% vs. 2.6%), and transportation (1.6% vs. 0.8%). Core inflation, which excludes energy and fresh food, edged up to 1.6% from 1.5% in August. On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased by 0.7%, following a 0.5% gain in the previous month. Meanwhile, HICP inflation accelerated to 4.2% from 3.2% in August, matching preliminary estimates, while prices rose by 2.1% month-on-month.