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Inflation and consumer price indices in February 2013


Consumer price index (CPI)

The consumer price index in February 2013 compared to January 2013 was 100.1%, i.e. the monthly inflation was 0.1%. The inflation rate since the beginning of the year (February 2013 compared to December 2012) had been 0.5% and the annual inflation in February 2013 compared to February 2012 was 3.6%.

The annual average inflation, measured by CPI, in the last 12 months (March 2012 - February 2013) compared to the previous 12 months (March 2011 - February 2012) was 3.3%.

In February 2013 compared to the previous month the prices of goods and services in the main consumer groups changed as follows:

• Food and non-alcoholic beverages - a decrease of 0.1%;

• Alcoholic beverages and tobacco - an increase of 0.1%;

• Clothing and footwear - a decrease of 2.2%;

• Housing (rentals, maintenance and repair), water, electricity, gas and other fuels - an increase of 0.1%;

• Furnishings, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house - an increase of 0.4%;

• Health - a decrease of 0.2%;

• Transport - an increase of 1.9%;

• Communications - an increase of 0.1%;

• Recreation and culture - a decrease of 0.3%;

• Education - a decrease of 0.2%;

• Restaurants and hotels - an increase of 0.2%;

• Miscellaneous goods and service - a decrease of 0.3%.

According to the final data of the NSI, the consumer price index in January 2013 compared to December 2012 was 100.4%, i.e. the monthly inflation was 0.4%.

Harmonized index of consumer prices (HICP)

The harmonized index of consumer prices in February 2013 compared to January 2013 was 100.2%, i.e. the monthly inflation was 0.2%. The inflation rate since the beginning of the year (February 2013 compared to December 2012) had been 0.4% and the annual inflation in February 2013 compared to February 2012 was 2.2%.

The annual average inflation, measured by HICP, in the last 12 months (March 2012 - February 2013) compared to the previous 12 months (March 2011 - February 2012) was 2.5%.

In terms of HICP in February 2013 compared to the previous month the prices of goods and services in the main consumer groups changed as follows:

• Food and non-alcoholic beverages - the prices remained at the level of the previous month;

• Alcoholic beverages and tobacco - an increase of 0.3%;

• Clothing and footwear - a decrease of 1.8%;

• Housing (rentals, maintenance and repair), water, electricity, gas and other fuels - an increase of 0.1%;

• Furnishings, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house - the prices remained at the level of the previous month;

• Health - a decrease of 0.2%;

• Transport - an increase of 1.4%;

• Communications - the prices remained at the level of the previous month;

• Recreation and culture - a decrease of 0.4%;

• Education - a decrease of 0.2%;

• Restaurants and hotels - a decrease of 0.3%;

• Miscellaneous goods and service - a decrease of 0.1%.

According to the final data of the NSI, the harmonized index of consumer prices in January 2013 compared to December 2012 was 100.2%, i.e. the monthly inflation was 0.2%.

Price index of a small basket (PISB)

The price index of a small basket in February 2013 compared to January 2013 was 100.0% and the overall increase since the beginning of the year (February 2013 compared to December 2012) had been 101.0%.

In February compared to the previous month the prices of goods and services in the small basket for the 20% households with the lowest income, changed as follows:

• Food products - the prices remained at the level of the previous month;

• Non-food products - a decrease of 0.2%;

• Services - an increase of 0.1%.

According to the final data of the NSI, the price index of a small basket in January 2013 compared to December 2012 was 101.0%.

Source: National Statistical Institute