The rise in consumer prices continued to decelerate significantly in Italy in September, falling to 0.7% year-on-year, compared to 1.1% in August, according to final data published Wednesday by the National Institute of Statistics ( Istat). Inflation, which has eased thanks to the lull on energy prices, is at its lowest since the start of the year, indicates Istat, confirming its first estimate.
The increase in consumer prices on the peninsula is significantly lower than the euro zone average (1.8% in September) and the medium-term target of 2% of the European Central Bank (ECB). Regulated tariffs in the energy sector in Italy slowed their rise, increasing by 10.4% in September compared to 14.3% in August. The prices of unregulated energy products accentuated their decline, falling by 11% after 8.6% in August.
Conversely, the prices of unprocessed food products started to rise again (+0.3%), after a drop of 0.5% in August. THE “housewife’s basket” (food, cleaning, care and hygiene products) increased its increase, going from +0.6% to 1%. Over one month, consumer prices fell by 0.2% in September. The increase in the Italian inflation index calculated according to the harmonized standards of the European Union (IPCA) stood at 0.7% in September year-on-year, after 1.2% in August.
