Inflation remains at 4.9% and food is more expensive despite the fact that the Government assures that families are better off than a year ago

Families have more and more problems saving and it is difficult to make ends meet due to the high price of fuel, electricity or food in supermarkets. In the month of September, the Minister of Economy, Commerce and Business, Carlos Body, pointed out that the economic situation is “better than a year ago” and than in 2018. But the data from the Consumer Price Index (CPI) presented by the INE (National Statistics Institute) pose a contradiction to these words from the first vice president of the Sánchez Government.

Because inflation remains at 4.9% according to the advance CPI for the month of October, although gasoline has dropped in price and food, although it continues to rise, has moderated this rise. Inflation continues without giving a break to millions of consumers and the explanation is that not all prices move in the same way. Although gasoline or fuels for private vehicles have helped contain inflation, gas and liquid fuels are putting upward pressure.

Tour packages that have lowered prices, although less than in 2025, also have a special impact, according to a statement from the INE.

Fuels help stop inflation

For the INE, one of the determining factors of this 4.9% inflation value is due to the evolution of lubricants and fuels purchased by private users, with lower prices than those recorded in the same period last year. Food or non-alcoholic beverages and the textile market have also been contained.

Prices increased but at a lower rate than a year ago. It is also true that the international crisis, such as the conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East, is weighing down prices around the world, which is why the Executive has had to activate a package of measures that affect, for example, farmers and ranchers.

Despite this, general inflation has not been reduced, and there is a greater increase in gas than in 2025, and liquid fuels that have increased in price when compared to the same period last year.

Prices rise 0.6% compared to September

Although year-on-year inflation has remained stable, consumer prices have increased by 0.6% during the month of October if September data are taken as a reference. The core, which excludes unprocessed foods and the most volatile energy products, remains unchanged at 3.1%.

Regarding the Harmonized Consumer Price Index (HICP), which allows comparing the evolution of prices between EU countries, the annual rate has fallen by one tenth, standing at 4.9%, so the monthly variation is 0.5% and the underlying rate reaches 3.1%.