Wiesbaden, Germany  - Germany's inflation in March was confirmed Thursday to have been the lowest this decade.

The Federal Statistics Office in Wiesbaden confirmed earlier preliminary data showing the rise in retail prices had been just 0.5 per cent in annual terms, equivalent to that in July 1999.

The rate reflects the current economic slowdown, particularly the fallback in the world price of oil and some foodstuffs.

Month on month, the cost of living in Germany fell 0.1 per cent between February and March. (dpa)