ECB wage tracker shows slightly higher wage growth in 2027
· Economy
The ECB wage tracker measures collectively agreed wage increases in nine euro area countries and stands at 2.8 percent for the first half of 2027.
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Official releases from the ECB, the Bundesbank, Destatis, the finance ministry and the consumer association: what happened, what it can mean in daily life, and what you can check yourself. Finmon explains. It does not advise.
Inflation rate October 2026 expected at +2.8 %
· Prices & inflation
The consumer price index in October 2026 is expected to be 2.8 % above the same month last year and 0.2 % below September 2026.
Import prices September 2026: +10.4 % year-on-year
· Prices & inflation
Import prices in September 2026 were 10.4 % higher than a year earlier, driven mainly by energy and intermediate goods amid the Iran conflict.
ECB leaves key interest rates unchanged
· Interest rates
On 29 October 2026 the ECB kept its three key interest rates unchanged despite rising energy prices.
ECB survey: credit standards tightened further for firms and consumer credit
· Interest rates
In the third quarter of 2026 banks reported a net tightening of credit standards for loans to firms (9 %) and consumer credit (14 %), while standards for housing loans remained unchanged (0 %).
ECB survey: perceived inflation rose slightly to 3.6 percent
· Prices & inflation
Consumers in the euro area perceived slightly higher inflation in September 2026 and expect 3.1 percent over the next twelve months.
Producer prices September 2026: +6.7 % year-on-year
· Prices & inflation
Producer prices for industrial products in September 2026 were 6.7 % higher than in September 2025 and rose 1.9 % from the previous month.
Wholesale prices September 2026: +8.7 % year-on-year
· Prices & inflation
Wholesale sales prices in September 2026 were 8.7 % higher than in the same month a year earlier.
Inflation rate September 2026 at +3.3 %
· Prices & inflation
The consumer price index in September 2026 was 3.3 % above the same month last year, after 2.9 % in August.
Residential construction prices August 2026: +5.5 % vs prior year
· Prices & inflation
Prices for conventionally built residential buildings rose 5.5 % in August 2026 compared with August 2025.
Unemployment falls to 2.994 million in September 2026
· Work & income
The number of unemployed people fell below three million for the first time in three months in September 2026, but rose slightly after seasonal adjustment.
ECB: Euro area bank interest rates August 2026
· Interest rates
The composite cost-of-borrowing indicator for new household house purchase loans rose 6 basis points to 3.60 %; the indicator for consumption loans rose 33 basis points to 7.92 %.
Heating oil and fuel push up prices charged by producers
· Prices & inflation
Factories and energy suppliers charge 4.6% more than a year ago. That often reaches heating bills and shopping later.
Consumers expect more inflation. But hardly more income
· Prices & inflation
According to an ECB survey, people in the euro area expect 3.0% inflation next year, while their income is expected to grow by only 1.0%.
Negotiated wages set to rise a little faster in 2027: only slightly
· Work & income
The ECB wage tracker shows negotiated pay rises of 2.7% for early 2027. Whether that offsets prices depends on inflation.
Your health insurer may raise its rate: without sending you a letter
· Consumer rights
Statutory health insurers no longer have to write to you when they raise the additional contribution. 76% of members do not know this.
Planned tax reform: higher child benefit and basic allowance from 2027
· Tax & contributions
The cabinet wants to ease the burden on low and middle incomes, especially families. It is still a draft, parliament and the Bundesrat must approve it.
Instant-access savings pay almost nothing on average, fixed deposits much more
· Interest rates
According to the ECB, euro area banks pay on average only 0.28% on money available daily, and 2.10% on deposits of up to one year.