Kosovo’s Annual Inflation Climbs to 7.8% in September

what happened

Trading Economics reported that Kosovo’s annual inflation rate increased to 7.8% in September 2026 from 7.3% in August. It was the highest reading since February 2023. Transport inflation accelerated to 23.9% from 21.1%, while the rate for alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics rose to 6.3% from 5.1%.

Price growth also picked up in housing and utilities, reaching 11.9% from 11.8%, in health care, to 4.5% from 4.2%, in furnishings, to 3.5% from 3.4%, and in information and communication, to 0.7% from 0.6%. Inflation was unchanged for clothing and footwear at 3%, as well as for personal care and miscellaneous goods and services at 3.8%.

Inflation slowed in restaurants and hotels to 5.2% from 5.4%, in recreation, sports and culture to 1.8% from 3.4%, and in food to 2.4% from 2.6%. Food-price growth eased for a seventh consecutive month. Education prices fell 0.3% after declining 0.5% in August. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.2%, compared with a 1.3% increase in August.

why it matters

The data show broader annual price pressure, led by transport, housing and several consumer categories, despite a much softer monthly increase. That combination is relevant to assessments of inflation momentum in Kosovo.