Record inflation: Which countries in Europe are being worst hit as energy and food prices soar?

Inflation in the UK rose more than expected in October, reaching 11.1 per cent, its highest level since 1981.

This compared to 10.1 per cent inflation in September, the Office for National Statistics said on Wednesday. The rise was mostly fuelled by soaring electricity and gas prices, up 24 per cent year-on-year despite a government cap, and by food prices, up 16.4 per cent.

In the eurozone, annual inflation is expected to have hit a new record high of 10.7 per cent in October, up from 9.9 per cent in September, according to the latest estimate of the bloc's statistics body Eurostat.

More than half of the eurozone countries recorded double-digit inflation rates in October, including Germany (11.6 per cent), Belgium (13.1 per cent) and the Netherlands (16.8 per cent). France showed the lowest rate, at 7.1 per cent.

Italy saw the biggest monthly increase in prices, with inflation jumping from 9.4 per cent in September to 12.8 per cent in October.

Energy prices were again the main drivers of eurozone inflation, with a 41.9 per cent year-on-year rise, compared with 40.7 per cent in September and 38.6 per cent in August.

Every corner of the continent is facing rising prices, with Europe's expected economic bounceback from the coronavirus pandemic being hampered by a number of factors.

Here is a look at the inflation rate in each country in Europe:

The Baltic countries continue to be the hardest hit. Estonia in particular is experiencing the highest levels of inflation in the eurozone, at 22.4 per cent in October compared to 6.8 per cent a year ago.

But Estonians can breathe a very small sigh of relief this month, as inflation slightly eased compared with September, when it reached 24.1 per cent, and August, when it was at 25.2 per