Official figures show that the annual rate of inflation across the euro zone fell in July to 2.5%. The figures from the EU's statistics agency confirmed an initial estimate. They come a day after new figures showed that euro zone growth was slowing almost to stagnant levels.
In June, the annual rate of price rises was 2.7%. Inflation hit a 30-month peak of 2.8% in April, and inflation in the 17-nation single currency area has now exceeded the European Central Bank's target of just under 2% for eight consecutive months.
The ECB raised its benchmark lending rate to 1.5% last month after raising it to 1.25% in April to combat price rises.
Transport and housing were the categories with the fastest-rising prices, with energy and package holidays putting the most upward pressure on the data, the agency added.
Ireland had the lowest annual rate of inflation in the EU, at 1%, in July.
