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Although Italy's annual rate of
inflation remains relatively low, a small but steady increase is
taking an average of 201 euros each year from family budgets,
consumer group Codacons said Wednesday.
"This is worrying, especially considering that consumption
continues to fall," which together with lingering weakness in
prices, demonstrates that the Italian economy remains weak, the
group said.
Its statement came as national statistical agency Istat
said that preliminary data showed Italy's annual inflation rate
increased to 0.6% in April from 0.4% in March, the first rise
recorded in 10 months.
The country emerged from its longest postwar recession in
the second half of last year but the recovery is fragile, as the
agency reported that on a monthly measure, inflation was up just
0.2% this month over March.
Looking at a subset of the items included in the overall
inflation measure, estimates showed that the prices of food,
household goods and upkeep, as well as personal items actually
decreased this month by 0.1% compared with March, and grew by
0.4% when measured on an annual basis.
That was a slower annual rise in that subset of goods
compared with the 0.7% annualized gain reported in March, and
the lowest level since August 2010.
The gradual rise in inflation is costing a retired couple
an average of 173 euros per year, said Codacons, while a single
pensioner is losing 111 euros each year due to rising prices.
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