Malta’s inflation rate remained stable in September 2025, continuing to trend slightly above the euro area average, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office (NSO).

The annual rate of inflation, as measured by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), stood at 2.4 per cent, compared with 2.2 per cent in the euro area and 2.6 per cent across the European Union. This position demonstrates Malta’s steady price growth while maintaining a competitive environment relative to other EU economies.

Breaking down the contributing factors, the Restaurants and Hotels Index exerted the largest upward pressure on inflation, adding +0.66 percentage points, largely due to higher prices in restaurant services.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages contributed an additional +0.61 points, driven by rising costs of meat and other essentials, while Miscellaneous goods and services added +0.28 points, reflecting increased travel-related expenses.

Conversely, downward pressures were observed in Communication (-0.12 points) and Clothing and Footwear (-0.02 points), reflecting competitive pricing in mobile equipment and lower footwear costs.

Notably, Education (5.2 per cent) and Miscellaneous goods and services (3.7 per cent) recorded the highest annual inflation rates in September, highlighting selective areas of price growth in the Maltese market.

Compared with EU counterparts, Malta’s moderate inflation underscores a stable economic environment conducive to investment. While several EU nations experienced higher inflation, such as Romania at 8.6 per cent, Estonia at 5.3 per cent, and Croatia and Slovakia at 4.6 per cent, Malta’s controlled price pressures reflect both economic resilience and a favourable cost structure for businesses and investors.