In May, the twelve-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 2.6 per cent, whereas the annual rate of inflation stood at 3.7 per cent.

In May, the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices went up by 1.2 per cent over the previous month. This primarily reflected a periodic increase of 5.1 per cent in the Restaurants and Hotels Index due to higher-priced accommodation services. The Clothing and Footwear Index registered an increase of 2.7 per cent, mainly due to a seasonal change in the prices of garments. Higher prices of mobile phones were the main reason behind an increase of 1.1 per cent in the Communication Index. The Recreation and Culture Index went up by 0.7 per cent, mainly on account of price rises of books.

A similar increase was registered in the Food and Non-alcoholic Beverages Index, mainly as a result of higher prices of fruit. An upward movement in fees for some medical services underlay an increase of 0.3 per cent in the Health Index. The Furniture, Household Equipment and Routine Maintenance of the House Index went up by 0.2 per cent, mainly due to an increase in the price of textiles. Similar increases were registered in the Miscellaneous Goods and Services Index and the Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Index, the former mostly driven by higher fees for financial services, and the latter by more expensive alcoholic beverages. The Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels Index edged up by 0.1 per cent due a rise in the price of gas.

Lower airfares caused the Transport Index to go down by 1.3 per cent.

These figures are supplied by the National Statistics Office.

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