Economy · in preparation
Understanding the economy
This section is in preparation and publishes no economic figures or estimates yet. Meanwhile: three notes on how to read prices, work and activity.
Reading an indicator
Lower inflation does not mean lower prices
Lower inflation means prices are rising more slowly. It does not, by itself, mean prices are falling.
The level of prices and the speed at which they change are different things.
What goes into the basket?
The index combines goods and services with different weights. Each household’s experience depends on what it consumes; it is not necessarily the same as the average.
Before comparing
The same period
A month, a quarter and a year tell different stories.
The same unit
Euros, percentages and indices are not equivalent measures.
The same version
Data may be revised after their first publication.