Source:Eurostat

15 DEC 2011

Yearly inflation in the Euro area in November stuck to 3% for the third consecutive month (compared with 1.9% a year ago) and the EU 27 consumer prices 3.4% gauge remained unchanged as well (2.3% last year). The highest yearly rates were recorded by transport, +5.4%, although down from +5.8% last month on an annual basis while housing +5.3% edged up from +5.1%.

Food prices recorded the highest monthly inflation rate increase +0.4% due to vegetables +3.1% along with drinks and tobacco followed by clothing and housing each +0.3%. Hotels and restaurants consumer prices had the lowest weighted yearly impact, -0.6%.  Inversely, fuel for transport 0.48% and liquid combustibles 0.22% (the latter recorded +3.8% price rise month-on-month) weighted the most on households buying power since Brent crude oil prices soared +30.7%, expressed in Euro, on the same period.

The steepest monthly increases were recorded by health insurance services +1.9%. Passenger air fares offered the best deals thanks to -5.2% price index cut, including accommodation services -4.2%.

In the single currency union, Ireland and Malta inflation rates were the lowest,  respectively +1.7% and +1.5% compared with the highest prices index pressure in Slovakia +4.8% followed by Estonia +4.4%, Cyprus and Luxembourg +4% each.