The Eurozone’s consumer price index increased 2.5% in March, compared to 1.9% in February.
In France, the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) estimates that consumer prices rose 1.7% year-on-year in March, compared to 0.9% the previous month. Energy prices are projected to jump 7.3%, reversing a 2.9% decline in February.
In Italy, the National Institute of Statistics puts March inflation at 1.7%, up from 1.5% in February. The government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has sought to ease price pressures by extending a temporary cut to fuel excise taxes through April 7.
Economists warn that the rebound in inflation is placing renewed pressure on household spending and economic growth in the euro zone, and posing new challenges for monetary policy in the coming period.
