FX.co ★ North Rhine-Westphalia Inflation Jumps to 1.2% in March, Up Sharply from February’s 0.2%

Consumer prices in Germany’s largest state, North Rhine-Westphalia, accelerated sharply in March 2026, with the regional Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising 1.2% month-over-month. The latest figure, updated on 30 March 2026, marks a significant pickup from February 2026, when prices increased by just 0.2% compared with the previous month.

The data are presented on a month-over-month basis, meaning the March 2026 reading reflects the change in prices compared with February 2026, while the prior 0.2% figure for February captures the change versus January 2026. The jump suggests a notable strengthening in short-term price pressures in North Rhine-Westphalia after a relatively subdued inflation reading at the start of the year.

While these figures are regional, movements in North Rhine-Westphalia’s CPI are closely watched as an early gauge of broader price dynamics in Germany, given the state’s economic weight and large population.