The year-on-year inflation of the euro zone maintained its upward trend and reached 2.4%, in an indicator driven by a slight increase in energy prices.
The indicator had reached its lowest level in more than three years in September 2024, at 1.7%, but from there it regained its upward momentum, until it was once again above the 2% goal established by the European Central Bank (BCE).
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According to the European agency Eurostat statisticsthe general result for December was influenced by a 0.1% readjustment in energy rates, a segment that had fallen 2% in November.
At the same time, processed foods (which are measured along with tobacco and alcoholic beverages) had an increase of 2.7% in December.
In turn, the services segment experienced an increase of 4%. The core inflation -which eliminates energy and food rates from the calculation- remained stable at 27% in December, the same level since October of last year.
Belgium, with the highest year-on-year inflation
Of the largest economies in the block, Germany In December, inflation was 2.8%, France 1.9% and Italy 1.4%. Spain, in turn, registered 2.8% and Portugal 3.1%.
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Belgium ended up with the highest year-on-year inflation, of 4.4%, and at the other end of the table the Republic of Ireland recorded the lowest indicator of 1%.
As occurred during the second half of 2024, the inflation result focuses attention on the eventual reaction of the ECB, which could cut its base rates at a more moderate pace.
The euro area inflation had reached levels above 10% by the end of 2022.
EAM