Inflation in the euro zone rose one tenth in April, to 7% year-on-year, according to data released this Tuesday by Eurostat, the community statistical office. The rise ends four months of declines.
The underlying rate, which excludes energy and fresh food prices, moderates for its part from the record of 5.7% to 5.6%, a minimal respite after an unstoppable climb since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.
By chapters, the group of processed foods, alcohol and tobacco is the one that rises the most, 14.7%, one point less than the previous month. Unprocessed foods rose 10%, almost five points less. Energy is now 2.5% more expensive, when it became cheaper in March. Services, finally, climbed 5.2%, one tenth more than the previous month.
The highest inflation continues to occur in the Baltic countries. Latvia registers 15%, compared to 17.2% in March, Lithuania 13.3% and Estonia 13.2%. Slovakia also sneaks into the group with the most victims, with a rate of 14%.
Among the major engines of the euro zone, Germany sees inflation fall two tenths, to 7.6%, in Spain it rises seven tenths to 3.8%, in Italy it does the same to 8.8% and in France two to 6.9%.
The lowest inflation is for Luxembourg, with 2.7%, two tenths less, and Belgium, with 3.3%, almost two points below March.
Historical inflation rates have led to a continued increase in interest rates that does not appear to be stopping for the moment. The European Central Bank (ECB) is expected to raise interest rates again this week, although in this case it could be at a slower pace than on previous occasions. Currently, the general rate is already at 3.50% after a rise of half a point in March.
