- Euro area inflation rose to 3.8 per cent in September 2026, as energy prices increased 18.8 per cent year-on-year.
- Protests across Europe have highlighted rising living costs, housing affordability, education concerns and pressure on public services.
Rising energy prices, housing costs and pressure on public services have fuelled protests across several European countries.
Euro area inflation rose to 3.8 per cent in September 2026, up from 3.2 per cent in August, according to Eurostat. Energy prices increased 18.8 per cent year-on-year, compared with 14.3 per cent in August.
Housing costs have also increased across Europe. House prices in the European Union rose 53 per cent between 2010 and 2024, while rents increased 25 per cent, according to Eurostat.
The European Council says housing costs have outpaced household incomes in many places. In Lisbon, rent was projected to absorb 116 per cent of the average salary in 2025.
Food and non-alcoholic beverage prices across the European Union rose 34 per cent between August 2021 and August 2026. Shrinkflation has also raised consumer concerns, as manufacturers reduce package sizes without proportionately lowering prices.
Italy and Portugal Face Cost-of-Living Protests
In Italy, demonstrations have focused on purchasing power, energy costs and public services. Annual inflation reached 4.2 per cent in September.
A march against rising living costs in Milan saw clashes, looted shops and property damage. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote on X: “It is a right to demonstrate. Setting our cities ablaze is not.”
In Portugal, property prices have more than doubled since 2017, according to Le Monde. On October 17, demonstrators in Lisbon demanded higher wages and pensions, while housing activists established protest camps.
Portugal’s annual inflation stood at 3.6 per cent in September.
France and Belgium Protest Public Service Pressures
In France, student protests have focused on teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, long timetables and school buildings. Pupils at Lycée Antoine-de-Saint-Exupéry in Créteil began blockades in September.
France’s education ministry reported 15.4 million hours of teaching lost during the previous academic year because absent staff were not replaced.
The country spent €199.2 billion on education in 2025, equivalent to 6.7 per cent of gross domestic product. Real spending increased by 0.1 per cent.
The demonstrations attracted trade unions and Yellow Vest supporters. The Yellow Vest movement emerged in 2018 over fuel taxes and cost-of-living pressures.
In Belgium, students protested university fees. Wider demonstrations also opposed austerity measures and spending cuts. Annual inflation reached 4.5 per cent in September.
In Albania, students demonstrated over university conditions, education costs, limited financial support and job prospects. Annual inflation stood at 2.9 per cent in September.
Nigeria’s Cost-of-Living Protests
Nigeria’s #EndSARS demonstrations began in October 2020 against police brutality, extortion, torture and extrajudicial killings involving the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
The protests expanded to include demands for justice, accountability and better governance.
In August 2024, Nigerians staged #EndBadGovernance protests over the cost of living and governance. The National Bureau of Statistics reported headline inflation of 32.15 per cent and food inflation of 37.52 per cent that month.