Den europeiske sentralbanken hever renten til 2,5 prosent

The European Central Bank (ECB) has raised its interest rate in the eurozone to 2.5 percent, following expectations of a September increase. Inflation pressures stemming from the conflict in the Middle East have receded, prompting the central bank to make this decision. The ECB states that price increases are staying "well above target for a longer period."

This is the bank's second hike of euro interest rates this year, with the first increase occurring almost three years ago in June and the first rate change since a cut in June 2025. Rising energy prices, largely due to the ongoing war, have driven up costs for items like oil, gas, and electricity. Inflation in the eurozone surged to 3.3 percent in August, with core inflation (excluding energy and food) significantly lower at 2.4 percent.

The bank's goal is for stable price growth of 2 percent. A key question for the ECB is how higher energy prices will impact the prices of other goods and services, as well as the economy as a whole in the medium term. The ECB warns of significant uncertainty regarding future inflation and economic growth prospects, expressing a risk on both ends of the spectrum.

While the bank maintains its forecast for price increases in 2026, it adjusts its projections for 2027 and 2028, expecting 0.9 percent growth this year, 1.4 percent in 2027, and 1.5 percent in 2028. This adjustment reflects the ECB's observation that the eurozone economy has shown "greater resilience than expected."