02/02/2022 (Agence Europe) – Annual inflation in the euro area is estimated at 5.1% in January 2022, compared to 5.0% in December 2021, according to a flash estimate published by the Statistical Office of the European Union (Eurostat). For the eighteen countries for which data are available, it was highest in Lithuania (12.2%), Estonia (11.7%), Belgium and Slovakia (both 8.5%). Price increases were lowest in France (3.3%) and in Portugal and Finland (3.4%). Prices increased by 5.1% in Germany, 5.3% in Italy and 6.1% in Spain. Among the main components of inflation, energy is expected to have the highest annual rate in January (28.6% compared to 25.9% in December), followed by food, alcohol & tobacco (3.6% compared to 3.2% in December). The Governing Council of the ECB meets on Thursday 3 February. (MB)