Inflation in the euro zone rose to 1.5 percent on an annual basis in February, from 1.4 percent in January. The European statistics agency Eurostat reported this on the basis of a definitive figure.

The figure corresponds to a provisional estimate. Core inflation, without the influence of the sharply fluctuating prices for energy and food and drink, amounted to 1 percent. That was 1.1 percent a month earlier.

Inflation in the entire European Union was 1.6 percent last month, compared to 1.5 percent in January.