In August, the rate of increase in consumer prices slowed down in the euro area

The annual inflation rate of the Eurozone decreased to 2.2 percent in August from 2.6 percent in July, based on the harmonized consumer price index (HICP) calculated for EU comparison purposes.

Energy prices fell by 3 percent compared to last August, after a 1.2 percent annual increase in July. The annual price increase of services in August was the highest, 4.2 percent, after 4 percent in July. The price increase of food, alcohol and tobacco products accelerated from 2.3 percent in July to 2.4 percent, while the price increase of non-energy industrial products slowed to 0.4 percent in August from the previous month’s annual 0.7 percent.

Excluding energy and food prices (core inflation) it was 2.8 percent in August after 2.9 percent in July.

Among the largest eurozone member states, inflation in Germany was 2 percent in August after 2.6 percent in July, in France consumer price inflation rose from 2.7 percent in July to 2.2 percent, in Italy from 1.6 percent to 1.3 percent, and in Spain to 2.9 percent to 2.4 percent in August.