MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Inflation in leading economies slows down in April

Consumer energy prices were down 13.3% in the year to April

Inflation in the world's leading economies slowed in April and in the previous 12 months as energy prices plunged. Consumer prices in the 30 states of the OECD rose by 0.6% in the 12 months to April, compared with 0.9% in the year to March.

According to the OECD, inflation in the zone fell to 0.2% in April from 0.3% the previous month.

Inflation has fallen steadily since February after recovering from several months of falling prices. Consumer prices for energy were down by 13.3% in the year to April, following a fall of 11.9% in the year to March.

Excluding food and energy, consumer prices rose 1.9% in the year to April 2009, compared with 1.8% in March. In the world's two biggest economies - the US and Japan - prices fell overall.

The US consumer price index fell 0.7% over the year to April and Japan's fell 0.3%.

The OECD also said that the consumer price index for the Euro-zone was 'stable' in the year to April, with inflation of 0.6%.

The prospect of a sustained fall in prices, otherwise known as deflation, is generally a cause for concern since it means consumers may put off purchases in the hope of buying more cheaply later.