Belgium: Inflation eases in May from April
Latest reading: Harmonized consumer prices were up 4.0% on a year-on-year basis in May, following a 4.2% increase in the previous month.
Relative to the prior month’s figures, there were reduced price pressures for food and non-alcoholic beverages (+0.9% on a year-on-year basis vs +1.3% in April), transportation (+8.5% vs +9.3% in April) and housing and utilities (+7.2% vs +7.7% in April). In contrast, there were more notable price pressures for recreation (+5.1% vs +4.6% in April) and restaurants and hotels (+4.7% vs +4.1% in April).
Meanwhile, consumer prices rose 4.1% on a year-on-year basis in May, following a 4.0% increase in the previous month.
Lastly, harmonized consumer prices declined 0.33% in May in month-on-month terms, following a 1.32% increase in the prior month.