In April, the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices went up by 3.4 per cent over the previous month. This primarily reflected a periodic increase of 14.5 per cent in the Restaurants and Hotels Index due to higher-priced accommodation services.

The Clothing and Footwear Index registered an increase of 5.7 per cent, mainly due to a seasonal rise in the prices of garments. Higher airfares were the main reason behind an increase of 4.1 per cent in the Transport Index.

The Furniture, Household Equipment and Routine Maintenance of the House Index went up by 1.2 per cent, mainly due to higher prices of furniture.

Higher prices for package holidays brought about a similar trend in the Recreation and Culture Index.

Higher tuition fees underlay an increase of 0.4 per cent in the Education Index. An increase of 0.3 per cent was registered in the Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels Index due to a rise in gas prices.

Higher prices for medical services caused the Health Index to edge up by 0.2 per cent.

The Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Index edged up by 0.1 per cent, mainly on account of an increase in the price of wine.

Cheaper mobile phones underlay a decline of 1.1 per cent in the Communication Index.

The Food and Non-alcoholic Beverages Index registered a decrease of 0.9 per cent, mainly driven by a downward shift in the prices of vegetables.

The Miscellaneous Goods and Services Index edged down by 0.1 per cent due to lower financial charges related to currency exchange.

In April, the twelve-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 2.5 per cent, whereas the annual rate of inflation stood at 3.8 per cent.

This data is supplied by the National Statistics Office.

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