Inflation at 3.6% in November

In November, the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices went down by 1.9 per cent over the previous month. This primarily reflected a decrease of 10.2 per cent in the Restaurants and Hotels Index, mainly due to seasonally lower-priced accommodation services.

Lower fees for Internet provision services brought about a decrease of 2.5 per cent in the Communications Index. The Transport Index went down by 1.3 per cent, mainly due to a seasonal drop in the price of airfares. Cheaper package tours contributed towards a decrease of 1.0 per cent in the Recreation and Culture Index.

The Clothing and Footwear Index went up by 1.5 per cent due to seasonally higher-priced garments. Higher prices of vegetables resulted in an increase of 1.3 per cent in the Food and Non-alcoholic Beverages Index. The Health Index rose by 0.3 per cent, mainly due to higher fees for medical and paramedical services.

An upward shift in wine prices caused the Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Index to increase by 0.2 per cent. The Furniture, Household Equipment and Routine Maintenance of the House Index edged up by 0.1 per cent, mostly due to an increase in the prices of household textiles. A similar rise was recorded in the Miscellaneous Goods and Services Index on account of higher prices of articles for personal care.

In November, the twelve-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 3.1 per cent and the annual rate stood at 3.6 per cent.