Prague  - The Czech Republic's inflation rate remained steady year-on-year and unemployment rate fell in May, according to government data released Monday.

The May inflation year-on-year remained at its April level of 6.8 per cent, down from a nine-year peak of 7.5 per cent in January caused both by government policies and growing food and energy prices, the Czech Statistical Office said.

Consumer prices in May however grew 0.5 per cent compared to April mainly due to higher prices of gasoline and some foodstuffs, the statisticians said.

The country's unemployment rate was down to a 10-year low of 5 per cent in May from 5.2 per cent in April and 5.6 per cent in March, the Labour and Social Affairs Ministry said.

The economy in the former Soviet satellite has boomed in recent years following an influx of foreign car and electronics makers, with accompanying labour shortages. (dpa)