Eurostat, the statistics office of the European Community, has published its “rapid estimate” for December 2006, according to which inflation on an annual basis referred to the countries of the eurozone remains stable at 1.9%, showing no change over the official rate registered in November. The rapid estimate of inflation in the eurozone is calculated on the basis of the consumer price index of the Monetary Union (IPCUM), preliminary information on almost all the goods that compose the consumer basket in each member state and forecasts of the trend in energy prices. The publication of the inflation data on the EU-25 and individual member states is expected for 17 January.
