The core inflation rate in the Euro Area, excluding energy, food, alcohol, and tobacco prices, decreased to 2.3% in May 2025, down from 2.7% in the previous month. This decline matched preliminary estimates and was below initial market projections of 2.5%. Despite remaining above the 2% target, it marked the lowest rate since October 2021. This further fueled the arguments of more dovish members of the European Central Bank's Governing Council, who advocate for easing monetary policy to address growth concerns.