In May 2010, the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices went up by 1.2 per cent over the previous month. This primarily reflected an increase of 6.3 per cent in the Restaurants and Hotels Index, mainly due to a seasonal increase in the price for accommodation services. Upward shifts in the price of footwear caused the Clothing and Footwear Index to go up by 1.5 per cent. The Miscellaneous Goods and Services Index went up by 1.1 per cent, mainly on account of an upward movement in the prices of some jewellery items. Higher fuel prices brought about an increase of 0.7 per cent in the Transport Index. The Furniture, Household Equipment and Routine Maintenance of the House Index registered an increase of 0.1 per cent due to higher-priced major household appliances and other non-durable household goods.

Cheaper fruit items caused the Food and Non-alcoholic beverages Index to go down by 0.5 per cent. The Recreation and Culture Index moved downwards by 0.3 per cent, mainly on account of lower prices for games and toys, as well as for package holidays. Lower prices for beverages caused the Alcoholic beverages and Tobacco Index to drop by 0.2 per cent.

In May, the twelve-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 0.8 per cent, whereas the annual rate of inflation stood at 1.8 per cent.

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