Inflation in the euro area remained negative in November for the fourth consecutive month, the European Statistics Office announced on Tuesday, fueling concern over the health of the European economy.
Read also: The specter of deflation threatens Europe
In November, inflation rose to -0.3%, as in September and October, according to a first estimate by Eurostat.
In August, this indicator had plunged below zero for the first time since May 2016, to -0.2%.
These figures are far from the objective posted by the ECB of a price increase "
close to but less than 2%
".
Economists are worried about a scenario of deflation, a vicious cycle in which falling prices cause consumers to wait and see, causing production to fall, which in turn feeds prices down.
Read also: Inflation, a contested index with very political significance
The low price level, which reflects a weakness in demand for goods and services reinforced by the coronavirus pandemic, is expected to last until "
early 2021
", recently warned the President of the European Central Bank (ECB), Christine Lagarde.
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