PARIS, July 31 (Xinhua) -- France's consumer price index (CPI) is expected to rise 2.1 percent year on year in July, after easing to 1.8 percent in June, according to preliminary data released on Friday by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE).
In its provisional estimate, INSEE said the acceleration in inflation was driven by faster increases in service prices, particularly accommodation and communication services, as well as higher energy prices boosted by rising gas and petroleum product prices.
On a monthly basis, consumer prices are expected to increase 0.6 percent in July, rebounding from a 0.3-percent decline in June.
By contrast, manufactured goods prices were projected to decline due to the summer sales, while food and tobacco prices were expected to remain broadly stable.
The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices, used for comparisons across the eurozone, is expected to rise 2.4 percent year on year in July, up from 2.0 percent in June.
France's Ministry of Economy and Finance said, as quoted by French daily Le Figaro, that inflation remained "contained" following the June data, which came as the country's economy expanded by 0.2 percent in the second quarter. ■