BERLIN, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Inflation eased in November in Germany's most populous state of North Rhine-Westphalia, according to data released on Wednesday, pointing to a further cooling in headline inflation in the euro zone area's largest economy.

The inflation rate in North Rhine-Westphalia slowed to 3.0% in November from 3.1% in October.

Germany's headline inflation rate is expected to fall further in November. Economists polled by Reuters forecast harmonised inflation at 2.6%, down from 3.0% in October. Inflation data will be published later on Wednesday.

Inflation also fell in Bavaria to 2.8% in November from 3.7% the previous month, in Hesse to 2.9% from 3.6%, and in Baden Wuerttemberg to 3.4% from 4.4%.

Economists will pay close attention to national inflation data later on Wednesday, as Germany publishes its figures one day before the euro zone inflation data release.

Euro zone inflation is expected to ease to 2.7% in November from 2.9% in October, according to economists polled by Reuters. (Reporting by Maria Martinez, Editing by Rachel More)