France: Harmonized inflation remains at lowest level since February 2021 in March
Latest reading: Harmonized inflation came in at 0.9% in March, matching February’s reading. March’s result represented the joint-lowest inflation rate since February 2021, and was far below the Euro area average of 2.2%. Soft price pressures vis-a-vis the Euro area were likely partly a consequence of weak French demand.
The trend pointed down slightly, with annual average harmonized inflation coming in at 1.9% in March (February: 2.0%). Meanwhile, consumer price inflation was unchanged at February’s 0.8% in March.
Lastly, harmonized consumer prices rose 0.19% in March over the previous month, picking up from February’s 0.06% rise.