People shop at a supermarket in Madrid, Spain, March 31, 2022. The inflation rate in Spain climbed to 9.8 percent in March, the highest level in 37 years, according to preliminary data published by the Spanish Statistical Office (INE) on Wednesday. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
MADRID, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The inflation rate in Spain has climbed to 9.8 percent in March, the highest level in 37 years, according to preliminary data published by the Spanish Statistical Office (INE) on Wednesday.
Inflation increased by 2.2 percent from February's 7.6 percent, due to price increases in many sectors of the economy, mainly provoked by further rises in the cost of electricity, fuel, non-alcoholic drinks and unprocessed food.
Prices have been rising almost continually in Spain for 13 months, with just a drop of 0.4 percent in January, and the cost of living has gone up by 6.1 percent during that time, mainly in line with the increases in the cost of electricity, according to official figures.
The INE said that the underlying rate of inflation, which doesn't include energy or food costs, rose by 0.4 percent in March to 3.4 percent, the highest level since September 2008.
The Spanish government on Tuesday approved a package of measures, such as a 20 cent per liter reduction in the price of gasoline, and direct aid for the agricultural, fishing and industrial sectors, in an attempt to combat rising prices.
Ukraine is Europe's main exporter of cereals and sunflower oil, while much of the gas used to generate electricity in the European Union is supplied by Russia. ■
People view commodities at a shop in Madrid, Spain, March 31, 2022. The inflation rate in Spain climbed to 9.8 percent in March, the highest level in 37 years, according to preliminary data published by the Spanish Statistical Office (INE) on Wednesday. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
People withdraw money at an ATM counter in Madrid, Spain, March 31, 2022. The inflation rate in Spain climbed to 9.8 percent in March, the highest level in 37 years, according to preliminary data published by the Spanish Statistical Office (INE) on Wednesday. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
People buy vegetables at a shop in Madrid, Spain, March 31, 2022. The inflation rate in Spain climbed to 9.8 percent in March, the highest level in 37 years, according to preliminary data published by the Spanish Statistical Office (INE) on Wednesday. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
A man walks past a stall in Madrid, Spain, March 31, 2022. The inflation rate in Spain climbed to 9.8 percent in March, the highest level in 37 years, according to preliminary data published by the Spanish Statistical Office (INE) on Wednesday. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
