Inflation at 3.1 percent in euro nations

Brussels -- Monthly inflation in the 15 countries of the Euro-zone held to a 3.1 percent increase in December, the European Union's Eurostat reported Wednesday.

The 3.1 percent inflation rate was unchanged from November 2007

December's rate was up 1.2 percent from the same month in 2006, when the inflation rate in Europe's economic union was 1.9 percent.

The Netherlands, Finland and Britain held onto the lowest inflation rates in the 15 countries at 1.6 percent, 1.9 percent and 2.1 percent, respectively. The highest rates among the fifteen were in Latvia, Bulgaria and Estonia with rates of 14.0 percent, 11.6 percent and 9.7 percent, respectively.

Costs in education, up 9.4 percent; transportation, up 5.6 percent, and food, up 4.8 percent, were among the factors contributing to the rising prices. Inflation rates dropped 2.3 percent in communications and hovered near zero in recreation and culture, rising 0.1 percent.

Clothing prices rose 1.0 percent in December, the report says.

Fuel for transport in the 15 countries was up 0.49 percent. Prices for milk and eggs rose 0.18 percent during December. Heating oil costs for consumers rose 0.17 percent, which added to the inflation rate.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.