ZAGREB, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Croatia's annual inflation rate rose to 3.8 percent in November, making it the eurozone country with the second-highest price growth, according to data released on Tuesday by Croatia's Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) and Eurostat.
In November, services increased by 6.6 percent year-on-year, while prices of food, beverages and tobacco rose by 4.1 percent. Energy prices climbed by 5.3 percent, the CBS said.
By comparison, annual consumer price growth across the eurozone stood at 2.2 percent in November, and only Estonia recorded a higher inflation rate than Croatia last month, according to Eurostat.
Croatian Economy Minister Ante Susnjar said on Tuesday that the increase in inflation is "an unwanted effect" of economic growth, wages and consumption, and that, given its current level, "too much importance is being given to it."
"We are a seasonal economy. During the tourist season or holiday period, we have increased consumption, which has been growing for 31 months in a row, and this is where inflation has accelerated," Susnjar said.
The Croatian government is helping the most vulnerable groups to reduce inflationary pressures and ease their financial burden, Susnjar added.
Croatia's annual inflation rate stood at 3.6 percent in October. ■
