The inflation rate in the eurozone hit a new high in March, at 7.5% year on year, according to Eurostat, as the war in Ukraine has further accelerated soaring energy prices.
In February, inflation had reached 5.9% for the 19 countries that have adopted the single currency, which was already the highest level recorded by the European statistics office since the start of this indicator in January 1997. Inflation has hit a new all-time high every month since November.
→ READ ALSO. In France, inflation is accelerating further and reaches 4.5% over one year
The rise in consumer prices is still fueled by soaring oil, gas and electricity prices, but even more markedly than previously. Energy prices jumped 44.7% year on year in March, after +32% in February.
Social crisis
All components of the index are affected. The increase in food prices (including alcohol and tobacco) accelerated last month, to 5%, after 4.2% in February. Industrial goods rose by 3.4% over one year in March, after 3.1% the previous month. The prices of services remain relatively wiser (+2.7% in March, against 2.5% in February).
→ READ ALSO. Inflation hits record high for over 30 years in Germany and Spain
Accelerating inflation is fueling a social crisis in Europe, with many households finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet. It is a headache for the European Central Bank (ECB), which monitors price stability. The current inflation rate greatly exceeds its objective of 2% per year.
The war in Ukraine, launched on February 24, by Russia “raises inflation and reduces growth simultaneously”underlined, Wednesday, March 30, the President of the ECB, Christine Lagarde, referring to “considerable uncertainty” for the economic outlook for the coming months.
