In March 2025, Austria experienced a reduction in its annual inflation rate, falling to 2.9% from February's 3.3%, according to preliminary figures. "This development signals inflation gravitating closer to the European Central Bank’s target of 2% for price stability," stated Tobias Thomas, Director General of Statistics Austria. Over the year, the primary inflation driver was the service sector, which saw a 4.2% price increase. Additionally, the food, tobacco, and alcohol categories experienced above-average inflation of 3.2%. Conversely, energy prices rose at a below-average pace of 2.2% compared to March 2024, with decreased fuel costs partly balancing out the increased electricity expenses. On a month-to-month basis, consumer prices edged up by 0.2% in March, representing the smallest increment in six months, following a 0.6% rise in the previous month.