05/01/2024 (Agence Europe) – The annual inflation rate in the euro area is estimated at 2.9% in December 2023, compared with 2.4% in November, according to a flash estimate published by the statistical office of the European Union (Eurostat) on Friday 5 January. The lowest rates are seen in Belgium and Italy (both 0.5%), and Latvia (0.9%). The highest rates were recorded in Slovakia (6.6%), Austria (5.7%) and Croatia (5.4%). Prices are expected to rise by 3.3% in Spain, 3.8% in Germany and 4.1% in France. As for the components of inflation, food, alcohol & tobacco (6.1%) and services (4.0%) are expected to see the highest rates, while energy prices are set to continue falling (-6.7%, compared with -11.5% in November). Core inflation (excluding energy and food prices) is expected to fall from 3.6% in November to 3.4% in December. (MB)