France: Harmonized inflation holds steady at joint-highest level since August 2024 in January
Latest reading: Harmonized inflation came in at 1.8% in January, unchanged from December’s result. January’s reading marked the joint-highest inflation rate since August 2024, and was in line with market expectations. Looking at the details of the release, the change in prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages increased at a faster rate in January. In contrast, price pressures eased for hospitality plus housing and utilities.
The trend pointed down slightly, with annual average harmonized inflation coming in at 2.2% in January (December: 2.3%). Meanwhile, consumer price inflation rose to 1.6% in January from December’s 1.3%.
Lastly, harmonized consumer prices fell 0.16% over the previous month in January, contrasting December’s 0.21% increase.