In January 2009 inflation in the Eurozone (EZ16) amounted to just 1.1% following 1.6% in December 2008 and 3.2% in January 2008. In the EU27 annual inflation in January this year stood at 1.7% following 2.2% in December last year and 3.4% in January 2008.
Annual inflation in January this year was smallest in Luxembourg (0.0%), Portugal (0.1%), Spain and France (0.8% each) and highest in Latvia (9.7%), Lithuania (9.5%) and Romania (6.8%). As compared to December 2008 annual inflation fell in 24 member states, remained unchanged in one and increased in two member states in January this year.
The lowest average inflation rates over twelve months up to January 2009 were registered in the Netherlands (2.2%), Portugal (2.4%) and Germany (2.6%), while the highest rates were to be found in Latvia (14.7%), Bulgaria (11.4%) and Lithuania (11.0%). 