Inflation rises in March from February

Latest reading: Harmonized consumer prices were up 3.6% on a year-on-year basis in March, following a 2.5% increase in the previous month. March's reading was the strongest since October 2023. Relative to the prior month's figures, there were higher price pressures for transportation (+3.0% in annual terms vs -0.3% in February) and housing and utilities (+7.7% vs +2.7% in February). In contrast, price pressures reduced for food and non-alcoholic beverages in March (+2.3% vs +3.3% in February). Finally, the variations in recreation and restaurants and hotels were the same as in the prior month (+4.1% and +3.6%, respectively). Meanwhile, consumer prices rose 3.7% in March, following a 2.6% rise in the previous month. Lastly, harmonized consumer prices increased 1.78% in March in month-on-month terms, following a 0.80% increase in the previous month.

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