The inflation rate in the euro zone rose last month to 2.4%

The inflation rate in the single European currency area rose last December to its highest rate in five months, in agreement with preliminary estimates.

Consumer price index

The European Union Statistics Office stated that the harmonized index of consumer prices in the region rose by an annual rate of 2.4%, compared to 2.2% in November. This is the second highest rate of inflation in the euro zone since last July, when it increased by 2.6%.
The core inflation rate, which excludes energy, food and tobacco prices, stabilized at 2.7% in December.

Annual increase in services

On a monthly basis, the index increased by 0.4%, in agreement with initial estimates. Looking at the main components of the index, services recorded the highest annual increase of 4% in December, after recording an increase of 3.9% in the previous month.