Several German states show inflation easing in February

BERLIN, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Inflation eased in several German states in February, official data showed on Friday, pointing to a lower national rate in Europe's largest economy.

Official national data are due at 2 p.m. (1300 GMT).

Inflation fell below the 2% mark to 1.8% year-on-year in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany's most populous state, while inflation in Bavaria eased to 1.9% in February from 2.1% in January. Inflation in Lower Saxony eased to 1.9% from 2.1%.

Economists surveyed by Reuters are forecasting a harmonised national inflation rate in Germany to remain unchanged at 2.1% year-on-year from the month before.

Euro zone inflation fell to a 16-month low of 1.7% in January, below the European Central Bank's 2% target, prompting some policymakers to warn price growth could slow too much.