France’s annual inflation rate unexpectedly rose to 2.4% in August 2026 from 2.1% in July, according to preliminary estimates, defying expectations for no change. The increase was driven mainly by energy inflation, which accelerated to 16.7% from 12.6%, particularly for petroleum products. Food inflation edged up to 1.1% from 1.0%, while the decline in manufactured-goods prices narrowed to 0.4% from 0.7%. Services inflation slowed to 2.0% from 2.2%, and tobacco inflation held at 3.3%. Monthly consumer-price growth increased to 0.7% from 0.6%, while EU-harmonised inflation accelerated to 2.7% annually from 2.4% and rose 0.8% month on month from 0.6%.