Euro area inflation estimated at 3.1%

Euro area annual inflation is expected to be 3.1% in December 2007 according to a flash estimate issued by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities. It was 3.1% in November.

The Member States participating in the euro area as at 31 December 2007 were Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia and Finland. Cyprus and Malta are members of the euro area from 1 January 2008, and will be included in the calculation of the Flash Estimate for January 2008.