In February, the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices went up by 0.6 per cent over the previous month. This primarily reflected an increase of 1.5 per cent in the Clothing and Footwear Index due to seasonal price rises in garments.

The Restaurants and Hotels Index went up by 1.4 per cent on account of costlier accommodation services. Higher prices of vegetables and fruit underlay an increase of 1.2 per cent in the Food and Non-alcoholic Beverages Index.

The Recreation and Culture Index went up by 0.5 per cent, mainly due to higher fees charged for recreation and sporting services. Higher prices of furniture and fittings caused the Furniture, Household Equipment and Routine Maintenance of the House Index to rise by 0.4 per cent. An increase of 0.3 per cent was registered in the Transport Index, mainly due to higher fuel prices.

Higher gas prices caused the Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels Index to go up by 0.2 per cent. A similar increase was registered in the Health Index, mainly as a result of higher fees for dental services.

The Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Index edged up by 0.1 per cent due to price increases in alcoholic beverages.

The Miscellaneous Goods and Services Index went down by 0.2 per cent, mainly on account of lower prices for certain financial services.

In February, the twelve-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 2.3 per cent, whereas the annual rate of inflation stood at 2.4 per cent.

These figures come from the National Statistics Office.

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