Consumer prices in Germany were 1.8% higher in August 2017 than in August 2016. The inflation rate - measured by the consumer price index - thus increased slightly for the third consecutive month. Compared with July 2017, the consumer price index rose by 0.1% in August 2017. The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) thus confirms its provisional overall results of 30 August 2017.

A major reason for the inflation rate rising again in August 2017 was the development of energy prices. In August 2017, energy prices increased by 2.3% year on year. In July 2017, the rate of energy price increase had been +0.9%. In August 2017, prices were up year on year especially for mineral oil products (+5.2%, of which heating oil: +10.4%; motor fuels: +3.9%) and electricity (+2.0%). Gas prices, in contrast, were down 2.9%. Charges for central and district heating fell slightly (-0.2%)