In North Rhine-Westphalia consumer prices rose by 5.2 percent in December.
(Photo: dpa)
Berlin Inflation in Germany remains high at the turn of the year. In Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse, consumer prices rose again to 5.1 to 5.4 percent in December compared to the same month last year, as the state statistical offices announced on Thursday. In Brandenburg the rate remained at 5.7 percent.
The Federal Statistical Office publishes nationwide data in the early afternoon. In November inflation was 5.2 percent, its highest level in almost 30 years.
Economists polled by Reuters had expected a decline in December to 5.1 percent before the publication of the first country data.
“It will go up easily,” said Dekabank expert Kristian Tödtmann. “There is some relaxation on the energy side, but price increases in other areas such as clothing.” Contact-intensive service providers such as restaurants, hotels, cinemas and fitness studios have also increased their prices.
However, this development is unlikely to continue in Omikron times. In the near future, inflation will probably ease, explained Tödtmann. However, the prices for natural gas have risen sharply. “That comes in full force in January.”
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The inflation rate had recently climbed five times in a row, mainly due to rising energy prices. Most experts expect a decline for January – also because of a statistical effect. Because the prices will then no longer be compared with those from the second half of 2020, when VAT was temporarily reduced from 19 to 16 percent due to the Corona crisis.
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