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Inflation refers to a general increase in consumer prices and is measured by an index which has been harmonised across all EU Member States: Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP). The HICP is the measure of inflation which the Governing Council uses to define and assess price stability in the euro area as a whole in quantitative terms.
Inflation in the euro area (annual percentage changes, non-seasonally adjusted)
Source: Eurostat. Data prior to 1996 are estimated on the basis of non-harmonised national Consumer Price Indices (CPIs). more
The primary objective of the ECB’s monetary policy is to maintain price stability. The ECB aims at inflation rates of below, but close to, 2% over the medium term.