EU deflation eases as jobless rate drops

Eurozone consumer prices fell again in March, as expected, but the decline was the smallest this year, indicating the price of goods and services could start rising again soon.

Meanwhile, the region’s unemployment rate fell to its lowest in almost three years, a sign the economy is picking up steam and inflation is likely to rise.

Consumer prices in the 19 countries sharing the euro fell 0.1%, year-on-year, this month, the European Union’s statistics office Eurostat estimated. Prices fell 0.3% in February and by 0.6% in January.