Slovakia's February inflation slows to 3.7% despite sharp rise in energy and housing costs

Slovakia's annual inflation rate decelerated to 3.7 percent in February, down from previous months, according to official data. However, the overall decline masked significant increases in essential services, with heating costs surging 27.5 percent and natural gas prices rising 6.7 percent year-over-year. Housing and energy expenses drove much of the remaining inflationary pressure despite the broader slowdown. The mixed inflation picture reflects ongoing volatility in energy markets, which continue to impact household budgets even as other price pressures have begun to ease across the economy.