The monetary policy of the European Central Bank and inflation trends in the euro area

This article analyzes the monetary policy of the European Central Bank and inflation trends in the euro area between 2019 and 2024, using official statistical data provided by Eurostat and the standard HICP indicator. The study tracks the dynamics of total inflation, its component structure, and the...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: García Revilla, Mercedes Raquel, Barbulescu, Marinela
Format: article
Publication Date:2025
Country:España
Institution:Universidad a Distancia de Madrid (UDIMA)
Repository:udiMundus. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad a Distancia de Madrid
OAI Identifier:oai:udimundus.udima.es:20.500.12226/3288
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12226/3288
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:monetary policy
European Central Bank
inflation
HICP
euro area
price stability
Description
Summary:This article analyzes the monetary policy of the European Central Bank and inflation trends in the euro area between 2019 and 2024, using official statistical data provided by Eurostat and the standard HICP indicator. The study tracks the dynamics of total inflation, its component structure, and the differences between total and core inflation in the context of major economic shocks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the energy crisis of 2022. The analysis highlights the transition from a low inflation regime in the pre-pandemic period to a severe inflationary episode in 2021–2022, followed by a gradual disinflation process in 2023–2024. The results show that, although headline inflation returned to levels close to the ECB’s price stability objective in 2024, its composition indicates persistent domestic pressures, particularly in the services sector. The article highlights the importance of structural analysis of inflation for the calibration of monetary policy and the relevance of using a mix of monetary instruments in a monetary union characterized by economic heterogeneity.