The annual inflation rate in the 16-member euro zone will reach 1.8 percent in September, according to a flash estimate of the EU statistical bureau Eurostat on Thursday.
It is the highest rate since November 2008, when annual inflation in the euro zone was 2.1 percent.
Eurostat will offer a detailed breakdown of the figures in mid-October. Analysts estimated the increase in consumer prices could be mainly due to price hikes in the energy and food sectors.
Although the annual inflation rate moved one step closer toward the 2-percent threshold set by the European Central Bank to maintain price stability, the bank is widely expected to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged at the record low level in the near future as economic recovery remains fragile in the euro zone./.