GeoStat : Annual inflation rate was 1.5 %

In December 2018 the Consumer Price Index increased by 0.5 percent compared to the previous month, while the annual inflation rate amounted to 1.5 percent,- the National Statistics Office (GeoStat) said on January 3.

According to GeoStat, 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 1.7 percent, contributing 0.52 percentage points to the overall annual inflation rate. Within the group the prices were higher for the following subgroups: fish (11.1 percent), bread and cereals (8.8 percent), meat (4.5 percent). Meanwhile, the prices decreased for fruit and grapes (-17.5 percent), sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and confectionery (-4.3 percent) and vegetables (-3.2 percent); Alcoholic beverages and tobacco: the prices increased by 4.9 percent, with a relevant contribution of 0.33 percentage points to the overall annual CPI growth. The prices increased for tobacco (8.1 percent);

Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels: the price increase of 3.1 percent was registered, which contributed 0.25 percentage points to the annual inflation. The prices increased for the subgroups of water supply and miscellaneous services relating to the dwelling (7.7 percent), also for electricity, gas and other fuels (2.9 percent); Health: the prices increased by 2.9 percent, which resulted in a 0.25 percentage point contribution to the overall annual inflation rate. The prices were higher for the following subgroups: medical products, appliances and equipment (4.0 percent), out-patient services (3.4 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 (3.4 percent).

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