(MENAFN) Consumer inflation across the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries held firm at 4.1% in August, according to data published Monday.

Out of 38 OECD member nations, inflation climbed in 15, surpassing 5% in Colombia and Estonia, and soaring above 30% in Türkiye. Conversely, 13 countries experienced a drop in inflation, while in 10 others, it either remained stable or showed minimal change.

The OECD highlighted, "Year-on-year food inflation in the OECD rose to 5% in August, up from 4.5% in July, reaching its highest level since February 2024 and with marked increases recorded in Türkiye, (South) Korea, and Colombia."

Food prices have surged significantly, standing 45.8% higher in August compared to December 2019—prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and the onset of the Ukraine conflict—representing the largest cumulative increase among the core inflation components of food, energy, and core prices.

Energy costs also climbed, rising to 0.7% in August from 0.3% in July. Meanwhile, core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, edged down marginally to 4.3%.

Within the Group of Seven (G7), inflation remained broadly steady at 2.7%. However, "It increased by 0.2 percentage points in Canada, Germany, and the US. In contrast, it fell in Japan, reflecting a decline in food inflation and an even stronger decline in energy inflation," the report stated.

The Group of 20 (G20) followed a similar pattern, with inflation broadly stable at 3.7% in August. Consumer prices dropped in China, registering a -0.4% inflation rate. Inflation also eased in Argentina—though it remains above 30%—and South Africa, while India saw inflation rise.

In the eurozone, annual inflation, measured by the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices, held steady for a third consecutive month at 2% in August. The statement noted, "Food inflation was stable at 3.2%, twice the rate seen in January 2025, while the decline in energy prices slowed."

Eurostat’s flash estimate projects that, in September 2025, year-on-year headline inflation in the euro area climbed to 2.2% as the slowdown in energy price declines continued, while core inflation is "estimated to have remained stable."

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