In December 2009, the Retail Price Index went down by 0.26 per cent. This primarily reflected a drop of 0.94 per cent in the Food Index, mainly due to lower prices for vegetables. Downward shifts in the prices of motor cars caused the Transport and Communication Index to go down by 0.45 per cent. The Recreation and Culture Index went down by 0.07 per cent as a result of lower prices for certain audio-visual equipment items. Other decreases were recorded in the Beverages and Tobacco, Other Goods and Services and Housing Indices.
The Clothing and Footwear Index increased by 0.95 per cent, mainly on account of upward shifts in the prices of women’s outerwear. Upward movements in the prices of certain medicines caused the Personal Care and Health Index to go up by 0.19 per cent. The Household Equipment and House Maintenance Cost Index went up by 0.14 per cent, mainly due to higher household textile prices. Another increase was recorded in the Water, Electricity, Gas and Fuels Index.
In December, the twelve-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 2.09 per cent, whereas the annual rate stood at -0.65 per cent.