BERLIN, Dec 22 - German inflation slowed to 1.1 percent year-on-year in December, from 1.3 percent in November, according to preliminary data released by the Federal Statistics Office on Monday. The statistics office gave a preliminary average inflation rate of 1.1 percent for 2003, which compares to 1.4 percent in 2002. "This is the lowest annaul rate since 1999," the office said, adding 1999's rate was 0.6 percent. On a monthly basis in December, German consumer prices rose by 0.8 percent, after a drop of 0.2 percent in November.
Analysts polled by before price data from individual states was released had expected prices to rise by 0.75 percent month-on-month and for annual inflation in December to slow to 1.15 percent . Consumer prices harmonised to compare with other European Union countries showed a monthly rise of 0.8 percent and a year-on-year rise of 1.0 percent after a monthly drop of 0.2 percent and an annual gain of 1.3 percent in November. Average 2003 inflation harmonised with other European Union countries was a provisional 1.1 percent, the office said. The Statistics Office's preliminary inflation calculations are based on data contributed by six German states. Final German price data for December are due to be released in mid-January, the office said.//www..com