ISTANBUL

Germany's annual inflation rate eased as estimated in February, falling to 1.9% from 2.1% the previous month, according to official data released on Wednesday.

"The increase in consumer prices slowed slightly in February", Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) President Ruth Brand said. "In particular, the rise in food prices eased significantly and had a downward effect on the development of prices, while services continued to drive up inflation."

Energy prices continued to see a decline, falling 1.9% year-on-year, and at a faster rate than a 1.7% decline in January.

Meanwhile, above-average increases in service and food prices pushed inflation higher, by 3.2% and 1.1%, respectively.

Food inflation was down from January's 2.1%, the data showed.

Inflation rose 2.1% in January and 1.8% in December, 2.3% in November, and 2.4% in October and September, up from 2.2% in August and 2% in July and June, the lowest level since Oct. 2024.

CPI figures were 2.1% in May and April and 2.2% in March, down from a 14-month high of 2.6% in Dec. 2024.

In February, the annual inflation rate excluding food and energy, also referred to as core inflation, was unchanged at 2.5%.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased 0.2%, up from 0.1% in January.