Economy

Food prices are climbing across Europe, with sharp increases in some countries as energy costs ripple through supply chains. In Italy, unprocessed food prices rose 7.5% year-on-year in October, and eurozone inflation hit 4%, the highest in over three years.

France’s economy contracted by 0.1 percent in the third quarter, leaving it on the brink of recession, as political deadlock over the budget fuels uncertainty and borrowing costs remain elevated.

Inflation data from Germany, France, Italy and Spain showed mixed trends in October, with energy prices driving sharp increases in Italy and France while Germany benefited from a fuel tax cut.

Greece had the highest housing cost overburden rate in the EU at 26.4% in 2025, more than three times the EU average of 7.7%, while Cyprus had the lowest at 2.4%.

Westminster’s latest budget from Chancellor John Healey is packed with grim figures and costly measures, but the data underpinning it may be far less reliable than politicians admit.

The ifo Business Climate Index rose to 90.2 points in October, its sixth consecutive increase, driven by a strong manufacturing rebound despite persistent global risks.

Eurostat data shows young people in France live in households with a median equivalised income of €23,850, above the EU average but below several neighbours. Experts caution that income alone does not capture the full picture of youth economic precarity.

France’s bond yields have surged to multi-year highs, testing the ECB’s resolve as it prepares for its rate decision next Thursday.

France’s 10-year bond yield tops 5% for the first time since 2002 amid budget wrangling and debt concerns.

UK annual inflation jumped to 3.5% in September, the highest since October 2025, driven by soaring fuel costs, fueling expectations of a Bank of England rate hike in November.