Malta’s annual inflation in December was measured at 2.8%, which, while being lower than November’s 3.6%, is still above the euro area’s 2.2% and the EU average of 2.3%, Eurostat said yesterday.

In December 2012, the lowest annual rates were observed in Greece (0.3%), Sweden (1.1%), France and Cyprus (both 1.5%), and the highest in Hungary (5.1%), Romania (4.6%) and Estonia (3.6%). Compared with November 2012, annual inflation rose in 11 member states, remained stable in four and fell in 11.

The lowest 12-month averages up to December 2012 were registered in Sweden (0.9%), Greece (1.0%) and Germany (2.1%), and the highest in Hungary (5.7%), Estonia (4.2%), Poland and Slovakia (both 3.7%).