The annual inflation of the eurozone was 2.4 percent in July 2006, down from 2.5 percent in June, The EU's statistical office Eurostat reported on Thursday.

Eurostat also disclosed that the rate was 2.2 percent a year ago and that monthly inflation was 0.1 percent in July 2006.

As for the EU's 25 member states (EU25), the annual inflation was 2.4 percent in July 2006, unchanged from June.

The rate for EU25 stood at 2.1 percent a year ago, and their monthly inflation was put at 0.1 percent in July 2006.

In July 2006, the lowest annual rates were observed in Poland and Finland, both at 1.4 percent. The Netherlands and Sweden followed, both with 1.8 percent. The highest rates were reported in Latvia (6.9 percent), Slovakia (5.0 percent), Estonia (4.5 percent) and Lithuania (4.4 percent).

Compared with June 2006, annual inflation rose in 11 EU member states, remained stable in four others and fell in the remaining 10.

Source: Xinhua