Inflation in the 17-nation euro area remained at 3 per cent for the third consecutive month in November, according to estimates, suggesting the European Central Bank may have to consider delaying a further interest rate cut.

The European Union's statistics office Eurostat said in a statement today that consumer prices rose by 3.0 per cent in November, the same rate as in September and October.

Many economists expect the ECB to cut rates soon to support the weakening European economy, as the region's debt crisis saps business confidence and raises the spectre of another recession.

But stubbornly high inflation, above the Frankfurt-based central bank's target of close to but below 2 per cent, means it may hold off. Its next meeting is on December 8.

The ECB increased rates to 1.5 from 1.0 percent in two steps - in April and July - but pulled them down to 1.25 percent in November.

With the pan-European economy slowing sharply, and with some analysts expecting it to have entered recession in the last quarter of this year, prices are expected to be capped and could fall rapidly, pulling inflation down.

Reuters