French annual inflation was slightly higher than initially measured in September, at 5.7%, as higher prices in the energy sector outpaced easing price increases in the food sector as well as in services, according to final figures from the INSEE statistics body published on Friday.

The inflation figure, on an EU-harmonised basis, stood at 5.7%, slightly up from initial, preliminary figure of 5.6%, reaching the same level as in August.

In its economic outlook published Thursday, INSEE said inflation, a major headache for consumers and the government this year, would ease by end 2023. (Reporting by Benoit Van Overstraeten; Editing by Marine Strauss, Charlotte Van Campenhout)