Brussels, 17/09/2003 (Agence Europe) - The rate of inflation in the euro zone rose to 2.1% over one year during August, as opposed to 1.9% in July, Eurostat confirmed on Wednesday (after its provisional estimate on 29 August). In the European Union as a whole (EU15), annual inflation rose to 2% in August as opposed to 1.9% one month earlier. The higher rates were noted in Ireland (3.9%), Greece (3.3%), Spain (3.1%), Portugal (2.9%) and Italy (2.7%). The annual rise in prices was lower in Austria (0.9%), Germany (1.1%), and Finland (1.2%). In France, annual inflation rose to 2%.
Consumer prices rose 0.2% in August compared to July. Acceleration in price rises is largely linked to the rise in oil prices which entailed a 1% rise in energy prices over the month. The price of transport (+0.6%) and hotels-restaurants (+0.5%) also contributed to bringing prices up. Underlying inflation (other than food and energy) increased to 1.7% over one year in August, compared to 1.6% the previous month. By way of comparison, annual inflation in the United States rose to 2.2% in August 2003, compared to 2.1% in July.