Inflation in Germany fell to 1.4 percent on an annual basis in May, from 2 percent a month earlier. The German Federal Statistical Office reported this on the basis of provisional figures.

In general, economists expected an inflation rate of 1.6 percent. On a monthly basis, German consumer prices went up by 0.2 percent, following a 1 percent increase in April.

Based on the European harmonized measurement method, German inflation was 1.3 percent, compared to 2.1 percent a month earlier. Economists generally expected a level of 1.4 percent.