Luxembourg, 20/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - According to Eurostat, the annual rate of inflation of the euro-zone fell 0.1% in August 2001 compared to July (2.7% compared to 2.8%). One year earlier, the rate was 2.3%. The annual inflation rate of the Union (EU15) remained stable in August at 2.6%, a rate identical to that recorded in July and identical to that recorded in the European Economic Area. One year earlier, the average rate in the EU was 2%.
In August, the highest annual rates were recorded in the Netherlands (5.2%), in Greece and in Portugal (both 4.0%). The lowest rates were recorded in France (2.0%), in Denmark, in Luxembourg and in Belgium (2.5% each). Compared to July, the annual rate of inflation increased in four Member States, fell in eight and remained unchanged in two. Compared to the month of August 2000, the largest relative increases were in Sweden (1.4% to 3.0%), the Netherlands (from 2.5% to 5.2%) and in Greece (from 2.9% to 4.0%). The largest relative falls were noted in Ireland (from 5.7% to 3.7%), Luxembourg (from 3.7% to 2.5%) and Belgium (from 3.5% to 2.5%). The lowest average rates over twelve months, including August 2001, were recorded in France (2.0%), Sweden (2.1%) and Austria (2.4%). The highest rates were noted in Ireland (4.5%), the Netherlands (4.4%) and Portugal (4.3%). By way of comparison, the annual rate fell from 1.4% to 1.1% in Switzerland. Information for the United States and Japan is still not available.