The inflation figures that were released by the federal statistics agency Statbel earlier on Friday show that in March annual inflation in Belgium fell to below 3% for the first time since August 2024. In March 2025 the range of products and services that are used to calculate inflation were an average of 2.91% more expensive than they were in March 2024.
The March inflation rate is down more than half a percentage point on the 3.55% inflation that was recorded in February. In January annual inflation in Belgium stood at 4.08%. Although inflation is falling, it is still way above the target of 2% set by the European Central Bank.
Not taking into account energy (gas, electricity, fuel,..), inflation in March stood at 2.57%. This is higher than the 2.29% recorded in February. However, core inflation that also excludes unprocessed foodstuffs as well as energy fell from 3.10% in February to 2.71% in March.
Year-on-year price trends
Compared to March 2024, prices for mobile phones (-20.5%), smartphones (-13.4%, televisions (-12.9%) and computers (-11.1%) have fallen the most.
Meanwhile, the prices of cigarettes (+27.2%), other tobacco products (+23%), natural gas (+25.4%), household services (+22.6%) and electricity (+20.2%) have risen the most rose sharply.
Monthly price trends
Compared to February, fruit (+5.6%), confectionery (+4.3%), a stay a holiday village (+5.8%), natural gas (+0.9%), city trips (+1.4% per cent) and bread and cereals (+1.0%) were among the products that showed the most significant price rises.
Meanwhile, fuel (-3.9%) and clothing (-3.3%) became cheaper in March. Airline tickets (-11.5%), hotel rooms (-4.5%) and flowers and plants (-6.5%) were down in price.