The annual inflation rate amounted to 4.7 percent in May, the Georgian National Statistics Office (Geostat) said on Monday.

According to Geostat, the Consumer Price Index increased by 0.5 percent in May compared to the previous month.

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 7.9 percent, contributing 2.43 percentage points to the overall annual inflation rate. Within the group the prices were higher for the following subgroups: vegetables (33.7 percent), fish (13.5 percent), bread and cereals (11.6 percent), meat (7.2 percent), mineral waters, soft drinks, fruit and vegetable juices (4.8 percent). Meanwhile, the prices decreased for fruit and grapes (-19.9 percent).

Alcoholic beverages and tobacco: the prices increased by 21.1 percent, with a relevant contribution of 1.38 percentage points to the overall annual CPI growth. The prices increased for tobacco (44.6 percent); Transport: the prices increased by 3.2 percent, which resulted in a 0.39 percentage point contribution to the overall annual inflation rate. The prices were higher mainly for operation of personal transport equipment (4.4 percent) and transport services (1.6 percent); Recreation and culture: the prices went up by 4.6 percent, contributing 0.26 percentage points to the overall annual inflation rate. The prices in the group increased for recreational and cultural services (6.4 percent); Health: the prices went up by 3.0 percent, contributing 0.25 percentage points to the overall annual inflation rate. The prices increased for the following subgroups: medical products, appliances and equipment (4.5 percent), out-patient services (2.9 percent) and hospital services (1.6 percent).