In December 2008 the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices edged up to 108.85 from 108.66 in November, up by 0.2 per cent over the previous month. This was primarily due to an increase of 2.1 per cent in the Food and Non- Alcoholic Beverages Index, mainly on account of higher prices of vegetables and fruit.
Higher prices of garments caused the Clothing and Footwear Index to go up by 1.0 per cent.
An increase of 0.5 per cent was registered in the Restaurants and Hotels Index, mainly due to price rises in accommodation services.
An upward shift of 0.1 per cent was recorded in the Miscellaneous Goods and Services Index, mainly on account of higher prices of certain accessories.
Higher prices of alcoholic beverages underlay an increase of 0.1 per cent in the Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Index.
The Transport Index decreased by 1.9 per cent, mainly due to lower fuel prices. Price reductions in package holidays caused the Recreation and Culture Index to go down by 1.1 per cent.
In December, the twelve-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 4.7 per cent, whereas the annual rate of inflation stood at 5.0 per cent.