Consumer prices surged 18.7% year-on-year in September, faster than the 17.7% rise in August.

The latest inflation was reportedly the highest since May 1998, when it was 18.8%.

Utility costs alone jumped 30.6% yearly in September and prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages rose 25.5%.

Transport prices advanced 19.7%, and those for restaurants and hotels grew 20.7%.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased at a steady rate of 1.2% in September.

Bulgaria's EU-harmonized consumer price index (HICP) went up by 15.6% in annual terms in September and was 0.7% higher than in August. Month-on-month, HICP increased 0.7% in September versus 0.8% in August.