Germany’s inflation rate declined unexpectedly this month, though remains above the target of the European Central Bank, which this week cut its key interest rate. Consumer prices were 2.3% higher in January than the first month of 2024,

The European Central Bank cut interest rates on Thursday and policymakers guided for a further reduction in March as concerns over lacklustre economic growth supersede worries about persistent inflation.

The European Central Bank on Thursday cut interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point, saying it expects inflation to fall back to its target later in the year and signaling that further easing is likely in coming months.