Annual inflation eased to 4.4% in July

Bulgaria's annual inflation slowed to 4.4% in July from 5.4% in June, per the NSI flash estimate. Prices rose 0.7% on the month: recreation (+11.5%), restaurants and hotels (+2.3%) and utilities (+2%) pushed up, while clothing (-2.9%), transport (-2.6%) and food (-0.8%) fell. Final data is due August 17.

Why it matters if you live in Bulgaria

Inflation is finally cooling from the post-changeover peak, though Bulgaria still runs one of the higher rates in the eurozone. The squeeze is concentrated in services — food prices actually fell on the month.