[EN] The CPI reaches an alarming growth of 4.3% in August and equals 2023 figures

Inflation threatens prices again in Spain in the middle of summer. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) places its annual rate at 4.3% in August, seven tenths above the 3.6% recorded in July, according to the leading indicator published this Friday by the National Institute of Statistics (INE). In practical terms, this means that a product that cost 100 euros a year ago would now cost 104.30 euros, if its price had evolved exactly in line with the CPI.

One of the main factors that have influenced this rise is fuels and lubricants for personal vehicles. These products have risen in price during August, while in the same month of 2025 they had registered decreases. Food and non-alcoholic beverages have also contributed, although to a lesser extent, whose prices have fallen less than a year ago.

CORE INFLATION DOWN

Despite the increase in the headline index, core inflation, which excludes unprocessed food and energy products as they are the most volatile components, has fallen slightly. Specifically, its annual rate fell by one tenth and stood at 2.9%, compared to the 3% recorded in July.

Prices have also increased compared to the immediately previous month. The CPI registered a monthly increase of 0.7% in August compared to July, when it had already advanced by 0.3%. For its part, the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), which allows the evolution of prices between the different European countries to be compared, increased its annual rate by six tenths and reached 4.5%.

The INE recalls that these figures still correspond to the leading indicator and, therefore, are provisional. The final CPI data for August will be published next month. The statistical agency calculates this indicator from around 200,000 monthly prices and from a sample covering 177 municipalities.