While consumers are most likely to be pleased that inflation remains low, economists are disappointed.
Eurozone inflation registered just 0.2% in December. Analysts had expected a higher figure by the end of the year.
The result comes ten months after the start of the unprecedented monetary policy experiment of quantitative easing which had been expected to stimulate the eurozone’s economy.
Consumer prices remained low, in part due to falling energy costs. Food, alcohol and tobacco prices went up but by less than expected.
The stubbornly low inflation could prompt the European Central Bank to strengthen its stimulus programme by buying more bonds and cuttings its interest rates yet further in an effort to reach its near 2% inflation target.
