Article · Energy · Money and markets
Prices in Lithuania are rising faster than anywhere else in the euro area, and the ECB sets one rate for all 21 countries on 29 October
According to Eurostat's flash estimate of 2 October 2026, Lithuania's annual inflation in September was 6.1 per cent, the highest of the 21 euro-area countries, against a euro-area average of 3.8 per cent, 2.9 in Latvia and 3.0 in Estonia. On 8 and 9 October the State Data Agency confirmed 6.1 per cent on the harmonised index and 6.7 per cent on the national index. Over the year heat, fuel and firewood, among other things, became more expensive, and prices set by state and municipal bodies rose 10.8 per cent. The European Central Bank has already raised rates twice in 2026, in June and September, from 2.00 to 2.50 per cent, and says it is not pre-committing to further steps. Six-month Euribor rose from 2.079 to 2.909 per cent in a year. Next decision: 29 October 2026.
In September 2026, prices in Lithuania were 6.1 per cent higher than a year earlier, the most of all 21 euro-area countries and double the rate in Latvia or Estonia, while heating became 39.7 per cent more expensive over the same year ([Eurostat, 2026-10-02](https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-euro-indicators/w/2-02102026-ap); [BNS via tv3.lt, 2026-09-28](https://www.tv3.lt/naujiena/verslas/infliacija-lietuvoje-rugseji-isankstine-6-1-proc-metine-0-9-proc-n1554859)).
The Bank of Lithuania does not set interest rates on its own: the European Central Bank (ECB) does that in one decision for all euro-area countries. The next such decision will be taken on 29 October 2026 (ECB meeting calendar).