Annual inflation last year, measured by the harmonized index of consumer prices (HICP), was 2,9 percent, Monstat announced.
Statisticians said that positive annual inflation rates in December were recorded in the groups alcoholic beverages and tobacco 6,3 percent, housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels 2,4 percent, food and non-alcoholic beverages 1,8 percent, other goods and services 1,4 percent, transportation 1,3 percent, furniture, household equipment and routine apartment maintenance 1,2 percent, hotels and restaurants 1,1 percent and communications 0,9 percent.
"Negative annual inflation rates were recorded in the clothing and footwear groups of 1,4 percent, recreation and culture 0,8 percent, and health 0,4 percent," the announcement states.
Monstat said that monthly deflation in December last year was 0,3 percent, while consumer prices compared to the same month in 2017 were on average 1,5 percent higher.
"The biggest impact on the negative monthly inflation rate was the drop in the prices of fuel and lubricants for motor vehicles, clothing, vegetables, meat, shoes and other footwear, and other food products," said Monstat.
The growth rate of consumer prices last year compared to 2017, measured by the HICP, was 2,9 percent.
"Looking at the main groups, the monthly drop in prices was recorded in the groups clothing and footwear 3,4 percent, transportation 2,8 percent, recreation and culture 0,2 percent, food and non-alcoholic beverages, alcoholic beverages and tobacco, furniture, household equipment and routine apartment maintenance and communication 0,1 percent each.
"Price growth was recorded in the groups of hotels and restaurants by 1,4 percent, housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels and health by 0,2 percent and other goods and services by 0,1 percent," Monstat said.
The prices of other products and services did not change significantly.
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