Annual inflation in Bulgaria accelerated to 6.2 percent in April 2026, which is the highest level among the eurozone countries, according to preliminary data from the European statistical office Eurostat.
Against this background, inflation in the eurozone as a whole is expected to increase for the fourth consecutive month, reaching 3.0 percent in April compared to 2.6 percent in March, according to Eurostat's estimate, based on the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP).
Among the eurozone countries, which Bulgaria joined on January 1, 2026, the most significant annual inflation, besides our country, was recorded by Lithuania (4.9 percent), Greece (4.6 percent), Belgium (4.3 percent) and Slovakia (4 percent), and the lowest - by Finland (2.3 percent), Malta (2.4 percent), the Netherlands and France (2.5 percent for both countries).
Among the main components of inflation in the euro area, energy is expected to record the highest annual growth in April - 10.9 percent compared to 5.1 percent in March, followed by services - 3 percent compared to 3.2 percent in March, food products, alcohol and tobacco products - 2.5 percent in April compared to 2.4 percent a month earlier and non-energy industrial goods - 0.8 percent compared to 0.7 percent in March.
Yesterday, the NSI announced in its express preliminary estimate, that monthly inflation in Bulgaria, measured by the consumer price index (CPI), is expected to be 2 percent, and annual - 7.1 percent in April 2026. The so-called flash inflation provides early information on inflation rates before the publication of final and detailed statistical data, with which Bulgaria can now be compared on this indicator with the other 20 countries in the euro area, after it became part of the monetary union on January 1 this year.
The NSI data are for inflation measured by the CPI, while those of Eurostat - by the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP).