Inflation in euro area slowed to 1.8 percent in February from 2 percent in January, matching preliminary estimates, data from Eurostat showed Friday.

This was the lowest rate of inflation since August 2010. A year earlier the rate was 2.7 percent. Monthly inflation was 0.4 percent in February.

Telecommunications, medical and paramedical services and garments had the biggest downward impacts on the overall inflation level, the statistical office said.

The core inflation rate, that excludes price changes in energy, food, alcohol and tobacco, remained unchanged at 1.3 percent.