Although statistics record only a symbolic drop in inflation of 0,1 percent in September, compared to August, the annual rate continues to rise and amounts to 4,9 percent.
Citizens are feeling it in their own pockets, food, medicine, and rent are becoming more expensive, and economists are warning that the price increases will not just stop.
Price increases in Montenegro have long since "passed the threshold" of three percent, which parties must achieve to enter the Parliament. In September, the annual inflation rate reached 4,9 percent - its campaign does not stop, and citizens feel it every day on shelves, in bills, utilities...
According to the latest data from the Statistical Office (Monstat), prices in September fell slightly - 0,1 percent compared to the previous month.
However, compared to September last year, inflation of almost five percent indicates continued pressure on the pocketbook, points out Jovo Rabrenović from the Institute of Economic Sciences.
"We see that prices have fallen slightly, literally negligible, in September compared to August, by 0,1 percent, which is essentially just a statistical indicator and does not mean anything to us in real life. By analyzing the detailed report and all parameters, we see that the prices of those product categories that are most important to us, primarily food, medicines and rent, those three segments have become more expensive," Rabrenović pointed out.
The prices of clothing and footwear increased the most, by almost two and a half percent, followed by housing costs, including water, electricity, gas and other fuels. A moderate increase was also recorded for furniture, household equipment and home maintenance services. Prices in the health sector also increased slightly, as did the prices of other goods and services.
On the other hand, there was a 2,6 percent drop in hotel accommodation prices, followed by a slight decrease in the price of food and non-alcoholic beverages, and prices were also lower in the transportation sector, as well as in the areas of recreation and culture.
"The statistics in this report showed us that inflation is not that high, however, jokingly speaking, our refrigerators say something completely different. We expect price increases. Definitely price increases, they already exist and they will continue, they will not stop, there are currently no mechanisms in the state and the state apparatus that are working on a solution to this problem to curb and stop inflation," said Rabrenović.
And, as it goes up, it leaves behind the government's promises on how it will supposedly deal with it. Thus, commodity reserves and the food delivery company have long been on hold, and there is still nothing from the continuation of actions to limit prices.
Bonus video:
