# Inflation and energy price increases in Europe

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/inflation-and-energy-price-increases-in-europe
> Updated: 2026-10-05T11:36:38.000Z. Sources: 26. Developments: 3.

Inflationary pressures continue to impact Croatia and the broader Eurozone, though regional trends are diverging. In Croatia, the national Consumer Price Index (CPI) reached 4.7 percent in September, driven by a 20.5 percent surge in energy costs and a 7.6 percent rise in service prices. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković maintained that government interventions, including retail price caps and tax reductions, prevented the rate from reaching approximately 7 percent.

Across the Eurozone, inflation rose to 3.8 percent in September from 3.2 percent in August, largely due to an 18.8 percent increase in energy prices. While Croatia’s inflation remains above the Eurozone average, other nations such as Lithuania (6.1 percent) and Bulgaria (5.6 percent) report even higher rates. Conversely, Serbia has seen significant economic stabilization, with inflation dropping to 2.2 percent in August 2026.

Rising costs are also influencing labor dynamics. In Croatia, while average net salaries saw a 7.2 percent nominal increase, real growth is being tempered by inflation. This has prompted calls from labor groups, such as the Construction Union, to increase the gross minimum wage from 1,050 euros to 1,250 euros for 2027. In Serbia, average hourly labor costs reached approximately 11.26 euros in 2024, with the highest costs recorded in the information and communication sector.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-05: Labor costs and wage pressures rise in Croatia and Serbia

Rising inflation in Croatia and detailed labor cost reports in Serbia highlight increasing pressure on wages and employer expenditures across the Balkan region.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/labor-costs-and-wage-pressures-rise-in-croatia-and-serbia

### 2026-10-02: Inflation trends diverge across Croatia, Eurozone, and Serbia

Inflation is rising in Croatia and the Eurozone due to energy costs, while Serbia reports significant economic stabilization and falling inflation rates.

13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-inflation-accelerates-in-september-due-to-energy-and-service-costs

### 2026-09-16: Inflationary pressures rise in Croatia and the United States

Inflationary pressures rose in August, with Croatia seeing a 4.2 percent annual increase in consumer prices and US import prices climbing 0.7 percent monthly, exceeding economist expectations.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/inflationary-pressures-rise-in-croatia-and-the-united-states

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Cite as: Inflation and energy price increases in Europe. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/inflation-and-energy-price-increases-in-europe