Inflation in Catalonia rises to 4.8% in October, sharpest increase since February 2023

Inflation in Catalonia – as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) – rose by three-tenths of a percentage point in October to 4.8% year-on-year, according to updated figures released on Friday by Spain's National Statistics Institute (INE).

This marks the steepest increase since February 2023 when inflation reached 5.6%.

Across Spain, inflation remained unchanged from the previous month at 4.9%, slightly higher that the Catalan figure.

Core inflation, which excludes the most volatile items, also rose by three-tenths of a percentage point in Catalonia, reaching 3.3%, while remaining steady at 3.1% across Spain.

Catalonia's inflation rate has now risen for six consecutive months, amid a worldwide increase in fuel prices and the ongoing energy crisis.

On a monthly basis, prices rose by 0.7% in Catalonia in October, compared with 0.1% in September.

The INE identified housing costs, particularly higher gas prices linked to the energy crisis, as a major driver of inflation.

By contrast, price increases in other categories, including food, clothing and transport, were more moderate than in September.

Girona recorded Catalonia's highest inflation rate at 5.7%, followed by Lleida (5.6%), while Barcelona had the lowest at 4.7%. Tarragona was the only Catalan region where inflation eased, falling to 4.9%.

Across Spain, Castile and León, Castile-La Mancha and Galicia recording the highest inflation, at 5.3%.