The annual rate was comfortably within central bank’s target range of 2%-4%. The central bank hasn’t reached its year-end inflation target since 2006.
Food prices increased 0.4% on the month in December, while non-food and services prices were up 0.1% and 0.3%, respectively, the statistics institute INS said.
Romanians paid by 10.4% more for eggs in December compared with a month earlier, while the cost fresh and canned vegetables advanced 2.25%.
In the non-food sector, thermal energy prices rose 2% on the month, while water and sewage services were 2.5% costlier, the data showed.
Romania’s harmonized index of consumer prices, or HICP, fell to 5.8% at the end of December, from 6.2% the month before.
The central bank targets an annual inflation of 3% at the end of 2012, plus/minus one percentage point around the band. The bank recently revised down its year-end forecast to 3% from 3.5%, saying it expects a favorable base effect and lower volatile prices.