The preliminary consumer price index for France rose 3.0% year-over-year in September, surpassing the 2.8% estimate and the previous reading of 2.4%. The EU harmonized index of consumer prices, which is used for comparison across eurozone nations, climbed to 3.4%, beating analyst forecasts of 3.2% and an increase from 2.6% in the prior period.

This acceleration represents the fastest growth in French inflation in more than two years. The higher than expected figures maintain pressure on the European Central Bank to address persistent pricing increases within the region.