The consumer price index in the euro area rose by 2.6% in February compared to the same month of the previous year.
It has been in the 2% range for five consecutive months.
The European Union announced on the 1st that the consumer price index for 20 euro zone countries, including Germany and France, rose by 2.6% in February compared to the same month last year.
On the other hand, the growth rate was lower than the previous month.
Looking at the breakdown,
▽Items including food etc. had a growth rate of 4.0%, which was lower than the previous month, and
▽Energy had a decline of -3.7%.
By country,
▽Belgium increased by 3.6% from the previous month,
▽Germany, Europe's largest economy, by 2.7%,
and France by 3.1%
, both of which decreased from the previous month.
The inflation rate in the euro area has now been in the 2% range for five consecutive months, and is on a downward trend.
The European Central Bank has kept its main policy interest rate unchanged at a high level of 4.5% in order to achieve the 2% price target, and is expected to maintain the current interest rate level for the time being. The focus will be on when to change policy while assessing the situation.