Inflation rose from 7.59 percent to 8.04 percent in February. That is the highest level since March 1983, when inflation stood at 8.92 percent, Statbel reported Friday. The pivotal index for the civil service and social benefits was exceeded. This means that benefits in March and civil servants’ wages in April will rise again by 2 percent.
High inflation is due to high energy prices. Energy currently has an inflation rate of 61 percent and contributes 5.03 percentage points to overall inflation.
Core inflation, which does not take into account the price evolution of energy products and unprocessed foods, stood at 3.28 percent in February, compared to 2.98 percent in January.
The main price increases were recorded in February for motor fuels, electricity, alcoholic beverages, vegetables, fruit, domestic heating oil, flowers and plants, and fish and seafood. Natural gas had a slowing effect on the index.