Germany's consumer price index rose 1.7 percent in 2006 from the previous year, largely driven by higher energy prices, The Associated Press quoted the Federal Statistics Office as saying today. The agency, known as Destatis, said that excluding energy prices, the average 2006 year-on-year increase would have been 0.9 percent. Last year, the cost of heating oil, natural gas and petroleum all rose because of increased demand. Destatis also confirmed its preliminary December statistics, showing a 0.8 percent increase in the consumer price index from November to December and a 1.4 percent increase compared to December 2005. The agency said that seasonal developments, particularly higher prices for package travel tours and increases in hotel and restaurant costs, were behind the rise. Consumer prices calculated according to European Union standards rose 1.4 percent on the year in December and 0.9 percent on the month, slightly down from the initial estimate of 1.5 percent and 1 percent.
