The annual inflation rate of the Eurozone was 1.5% in March 2017, compared to 2.0% in February, according to figures published by the statistical office of the European Union (Eurostat) (see EUROPE 11759).
In the European Union, inflation stood at 1.6% in March, down from 2.0% in February.
All inflation rates were positive and the lowest were observed in the following countries: Romania (0.4%), Ireland and the Netherlands (0.6% each) and Denmark and Finland (0.9%). Inflation was moderate in France and Italy (1.4% each) and Germany (1.5%) and higher in Greece (1.7%) and Spain (2.1%).
The highest annual rates were registered in Latvia (3.3%), Lithuania (2.3%), Estonia (3.0%), Hungary (2.7%), the Czech Republic (2.6%) and Luxembourg and Belgium (2.5% each).
The biggest upwards impacts on annual Eurozone inflation came from transport fuels (+0.48%), heating oil (+0.11%) and vegetables (+0.08%). Telecommunications, package holidays (-0.09%) and garments (-0.05%) had the biggest downwards impact.
ECB to meet on Thursday 27 April
Following a period in line with the European institution's mission, inflation is once again stagnating. Furthermore, underlying inflation - not including energy and food prices - remains weak.
It is therefore unlikely that the Governing Council of the ECB will decide, on Thursday 27 April, to raise the principal headline interest rates. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)