BERLIN, Aug 29 Reuters Inflation fell in six important German states in August due to lower energy prices, preliminary data showed on Thursday, suggesting Germany39;s national inflation rate could decline noticeably this month.

In Saxony, the inflation rate fell in August to 2.6 from 3.1 in the previous month, in Brandenburg it fell to 1.7 from 2.6, in BadenWuerttemberg it fell to 1.5 from 2.1, in Hesse it fell to 1.5 from 1.8 and in Bavaria it fell to 2.1 in August from 2.5 in July.

The inflation rate in North RhineWestphalia, Germany39;s most populous state, fell to 1.7 in August from 2.3 in July.

Economists polled by Reuters forecast a harmonised national inflation rate in Germany the euro zone39;s largest economy of 2.3 in August, down from 2.6 the previous month. National figures will be released later on Thursday.

The inflation data from the states indicate German inflation has fallen more sharply than previously expected, said Cyrus de la Rubia, chief economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank, noting that North RhineWestphalia accounts for 21 of total inflation.

That sounds like a good result, de la Rubia said. From now on, however, things are unfortunately on the up again.

In the next six to twelve months, the inflation rate is likely to move back towards 3, de la Rubia forecasts.

The German data comes ahead of the euro zone inflation release on Friday. Inflation in the bloc is expected at 2.2 in August, down from 2.6 in the previous month, according to…