In March, the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices went up by 1.1 per cent over the previous month, the twelve-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 3.1 per cent and the annual rate stood at 1.4 per cent. the National Statistics Office reported today.

The increase in the HICP primarily reflected an increase of 4.9 per cent in the Restaurants and Hotels Index, mainly due to accommodation services.

An increase of 2.8 per cent was registered in the Clothing and Footwear Index, on account of seasonal rises in the price of garments.

The Transport Index went up by 1.5 per cent, mostly due to higher airfares. The Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Index went up by 0.9 per cent, due to higher prices of cigarettes. A rise in the price of books caused the Recreation and Culture Index to go up by 0.7 per cent.

An upward movement in the prices of pharmaceutical products resulted in a 0.1 per cent increase in the Health Index.

Cheaper furniture was behind the drop of 0.5 per cent in the Furniture, Household Equipment and Routine Maintenance of the House Index. The Food and Non-alcoholic Beverages Index went down by 0.4 per cent, mainly on account of lower-priced vegetables.

A downward movement in the price of mobile phones resulted in a 0.3 per cent decrease in the Communication Index.

The Miscellaneous Goods and Services Index registered a 0.2 per cent decrease, primarily on account of a downward shift in the price of jewellery.

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