The Consumer Price Index increased by 1.3 percent in January, 2019 compared to the previous month, while the annual inflation rate amounted to 2.2 percent,- the Georgian National Statistics Office (Geostat) said on February 4.

According to Geostat, the monthly inflation rate was mainly influenced by price changes for the following groups:

Food and non-alcoholic beverages: the prices in the group increased by 3.2 percent, contributing 0.98 percentage points to the overall monthly inflation rate. The prices in the group increased for the subgroups of vegetables (15.8 percent), fruit and grapes (5.8 percent), milk, cheese and eggs (4.7 percent), bread and cereals (1.4 percent), also for fish (1.4 percent);

Alcoholic beverages and tobacco: the prices increased by 5.8 percent, with a relevant contribution of 0.39 percentage points to the overall monthly CPI growth. The prices increased for tobacco (12.5 percent).

The annual inflation rate was mainly influenced by price changes for the following groups: Food and non-alcoholic beverages: the prices within the group increased by 3.2 percent, contributing 1.0 percentage points to the overall annual inflation rate. The prices were higher for the following subgroups: fish (12.3 percent), bread and cereals (10.0 percent), vegetables (6.5 percent), meat (5.1 percent), also milk, cheese and eggs (2.1 percent). Meanwhile, the prices decreased for fruit and grapes (-20.5 percent) and for sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and confectionery (-5.0 percent); Alcoholic beverages and tobacco: the prices increased by 10.1 percent, with a relevant contribution of 0.66 percentage points to the overall annual CPI growth. The prices increased for tobacco (20.0 percent).

Health: the prices increased by 3.4 percent, which resulted in a 0.28 percentage point contribution to the overall annual inflation rate. The prices were higher for the following subgroups: medical products, appliances and equipment (4.5 percent), out-patient services (4.4 percent) and hospital services (1.1 percent);

Transport: the prices in the group increased by 1.7 percent, with a relevant contribution of 0.22 percentage points to the overall index growth. The prices within the group increased for operation of personal transport equipment (3.3 percent).