Eurozone “core” inflation, excluding energy prices, is on a clear upward path and overtook the headline rate in February, according to official figures on Thursday that will add to the European Central Bank’s worries about long-term inflation trends.

Excluding energy and unprocessed food, inflation in the 13-country region accelerated to an annual rate of 1.9 per cent last month, up from 1.8 per cent in January, reported Eurostat, the European Union’s statistical unit. This latest figure was the highest seen since December 2004.