Consumer price inflation in Italy increased slightly less than initially estimated in April to the highest level in more than two-and-a-half years, the latest from the statistical office showed on Friday.
Consumer price inflation accelerated to 2.7% in April from March's 1.7%. Moreover, this was the highest inflation rate since September 2023. In the flash report, the inflation rate was 2.8%.
The upward trend in inflation was primarily driven by a 9.6% growth in costs for non-regulated energy products, which fell 2.0% in March.
The rise in inflation was also influenced by the price developments in regulated energy products, with prices rising by 5.3%. Inflation based on unprocessed food rose to 5.9% from 4.7%. Meanwhile, inflation based on recreation, including repair and personal care services, moderated to 2.6% from 3.0%.
Excluding energy and unprocessed food, core inflation eased to 1.6% from 1.9%.
On a monthly basis, consumer prices went up 1.1% after rising 0.5% in February. In the preliminary report, the rate of increase was 1.2%.
The EU measure of inflation was 2.8% in March, revised down from 2.9%, compared to 1.6% in the prior month. Monthly, the HICP climbed 1.6%.
