According to Eurostat's flash estimate – calculated using Eurostat estimates for Germany –, inflation was 8.5% in January.1 The decrease compared with December was mainly due to a sharp drop in energy prices. At the same time, the prior surge in energy prices and other input costs is still feeding through to consumer prices.
Taking into account the potentially varied effects of the rising prevalence of gig work on household welfare, public policy should strive to maximize the benefits of the greater flexibility and lower entry barriers provided by advances in technology, while addressing the risks that currently accompany many forms of gig employment.