Expectations have been growing of a possible interest rate cut to support the weakening European economy as the region's debt crisis saps business confidence and raises the spectre of another recession.
The 3pc inflation figure for the 17 countries that share the euro is a first estimate from the EU's statistics agency Eurostat, up from the 2.5pc in August and compared to a 2.5pc forecast by economists.
As a two-year run of strong manufacturing growth slowed, the ECB changed its tone at its last rates meeting in early September and opened the door to cuts, signalling that it had halted a cycle of interest rate rises begun five months ago.
ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet said then there were "intensified downside risks" for the eurozone's economy.
In Germany, the region's biggest economy, annual consumer prices rose to 2.6pc in September from 2.4pc a month earlier, compared to expectations for it to be steady, while month-on-month prices rose 0.1pc instead of an expected drop of the same magnitude.
Eurostat's flash estimate for the month does not include a monthly calculation nor any full data.
The statistics agency also reported unemployment for August, which in the euro zone was unchanged from July at 10pc and down slightly from 10.2pc in the same month a year ago. That suggests companies are not yet laying off staff even as the economy loses pace.
The Telegraph
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