Last month, consumer prices were 3.8 percent above the level of the same month last year, the latest data from the Federal Statistical Office has revealed.

       This is the highest level since December 1993 where it had jumped to 4.3 percent.

       In June, the inflation rate was down at 2.3 percent.

       The huge jump in the latest inflation rate has been largely driven by rising energy prices, which increased by 11.6 percent.

       Following the start of the Covid pandemic early last year, crude oil prices plummeted because of the low demand on the global market.

       But world economies continue to bounce back from the pandemic, those prices are quickly recovering.

       In July, the price of heating oil had surged by more than 50 percent compared to the same month a year ago.

       Petrol was also significantly more expensive, with prices jumping by 24.7 percent.

       Without taking energy products into account, the inflation rate would have been just 2.9 percent in July - almost down by a full percentage point.

       Additional reporting by Pallenberg.

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