Brussels, 17/04/2012 (Agence Europe) - Annual inflation stood at 2.7% in the eurozone in March 2012, the same as in February 2012, according to figures released by the EU's statistical office on Tuesday 17 April. In March 2011, it was also 2.7%. Monthly inflation stood at 1.3% in March 2012, with the lowest inflation recorded in Greece (1.4%), Spain (1.8%) and Ireland (2.2%), and the highest in Estonia (4.7%), Slovakia (3.9%) and Italy (3.8%). The annual price increases in the eurozone are largely due to rises in transport costs, alcoholic drinks and tobacco.
In the EU27, annual inflation stood at 2.9% in March 2012, the same as in February. In March 2011, annual inflation in the EU27 stood at 3.1%. Monthly inflation stood at 1.1% in March 2012. The lowest inflation was recorded in Sweden (1.1%), Greece (1.4%) and Bulgaria (1.7%), and the highest in Hungary (5.5%). (MB/transl.fl)