In October, the Retail Price Index went up by 0.73 per cent. This primarily reflected an increase of 14.23 per cent in the Clothing and Footwear Index, due to seasonally higher prices of garments. A rise in tuition fees caused the Recreation and Culture Index to go up by 0.55 per cent. Higher gas prices brought about an increase of 0.44 per cent in the Water, Electricity, Gas and Fuels Index. The Beverages and Tobacco Index went up by 0.35 per cent, mainly due to higher prices in respect of wine. A rise of 0.29 per cent was registered in the Personal Care and Health Index, mainly on account of higher prices of articles used in personal hygiene. An upward movement in the price of fruit was the main factor underlying a 0.15 per cent increase in the Food Index.

The Transport and Communication Index contracted by 0.73 per cent, mainly due to lower airfares. Reduced furniture prices caused the Household Equipment and House Maintenance Cost Index to drop by 0.62 per cent. Lower fees for certain services related to the minor repairs of dwellings resulted in the Housing Index declining by 0.53 per cent.

In October, the twelve-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 0.96 per cent, whereas the annual rate stood at 1.73 per cent.

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