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Eurozone inflation falls to 0.4% in July Eurozone inflation slips further into the 'danger zone'
(about 1 hour later)
Eurozone inflation has fallen to its lowest level since the height of the financial crisis, adding pressure on the European Central Bank (ECB) to act again to boost the economy. Eurozone inflation has fallen to its lowest level since the height of the financial crisis, sliding further into what the European Central Bank (ECB) has described as a "danger zone".
Prices rose in the single currency area by 0.4% in July, from 0.5% in June.Prices rose in the single currency area by 0.4% in July, from 0.5% in June.
The ECB considers an inflation rate of below 1% to be in a "danger zone" posing a threat of deflation. The ECB considers that an inflation rate of below 1% poses a risk of deflation.
Separate figures show that unemployment in the region fell slightly to 11.5% in June compared to 11.6% in May.Separate figures show that unemployment in the region fell slightly to 11.5% in June compared to 11.6% in May.
The new inflation figures from the European Union's statistical office, Eurostat, show that it remains persistently below the ECB's target rate of 2%. Prices have risen at an annualised rate of less than 1% for the last ten months. The new inflation figures from the European Union's statistical office, Eurostat, show that the rate remains persistently below the ECB's target rate of 2%. Prices have risen at an annualised rate of less than 1% for the last ten months.
Central Bank governor, Mario Draghi, has previously warned that he would deem inflation below 1% to be in a "danger zone", which could lead to prices tipping into a deflationary spiral.
Analysis: BBC economics correspondent, Andrew Walker
Deflation - falling prices or below zero inflation - in the eurozone has come a step closer.
Several individual countries have already had at least a brush with it. Spain's new figures show a fall in prices over the previous twelve months. Greece and Portugal already had inflation below zero.
It can be a serious problem - not inevitably; it depends on the circumstances. But it is clear that the European Central Bank is very keen to avoid deflation.
The new figures increase the chance that the ECB will embark on a full scale programme of quantitative easing (QE), buying financial assets such as government debt with newly created money in an effort to push inflation up (yes really).
It's a sign of how weak the eurozone economy is that this debate is underway just as the US Federal Reserve seems close to ending its own QE programme.
In June the ECB introduced a package of measures to boost growth and tackle the threat of inflation.In June the ECB introduced a package of measures to boost growth and tackle the threat of inflation.
It cut interest rates, including reducing the bank deposit rate to below zero, and made available cheap long term loans to banks. It promised to stand ready to take more action if inflation continued to fall.It cut interest rates, including reducing the bank deposit rate to below zero, and made available cheap long term loans to banks. It promised to stand ready to take more action if inflation continued to fall.
Analysis: BBC economics correspondent, Andrew Walker Lower still
There are concerns among European economic policy makers that the eurozone might be heading for deflation or falling prices. Brian Tora, from the investment managers J.M. Finn and Co said it was hard to see what more the ECB could do if inflation fails to respond to the measures already taken.
That can exacerbate economic weakness and aggravate debt problems - even if prices and wages fall, debts do not. "They could instigate a programme of asset purchases. But it's more complicated for the ECB than for a central bank that's just responsible for one nation state."
Some individual eurozone countries have seen prices fall, including Greece and Portugal. The ECB has not undertaken large-scale asset purchases in the same way as the UK and US central banks.
The further slowing of price rises for the eurozone as a whole increases the chances that the European Central Bank will embark on the policy known as quantitative easing - often described as printing money. "But it's worth remembering that [Mr] Draghi said last autumn it would do whatever it took to keep Europe out of recession," said Mr. Tora.
Analysts also point to a fall in energy prices as contributing to lower inflation.
"There is undeniably a very real risk that eurozone consumer price inflation could go lower still ... barring an appreciable rise in oil and gas prices resulting from geopolitical factors hitting supplies,'' said Howard Archer, economist at analysis group IHS.
Core inflation which excludes food and fuel costs was unchanged for July at 0.8%.