Belgium: Harmonized inflation comes in at highest level since March 2023 in April
Harmonized inflation rose to 4.9% in April, above March’s 3.8%. April’s result represented the highest inflation rate since March 2023. The reading was largely driven by a slower increase in prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages. In addition, price pressures for transportation increased at a softer pace. Moreover, prices for recreation grew at a more subdued pace.
The trend pointed up slightly, with annual average harmonized inflation coming in at 1.7% in April (March: 1.6%). Meanwhile, consumer price inflation rose to 3.4% in April, from March’s 3.2%.
Lastly, harmonized consumer prices dropped 0.25% in April over the previous month, swinging from the 0.39% increase recorded in March. April’s result marked the weakest reading since January.