In June, the twelve-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 4.3 per cent, whereas the annual rate of inflation stood at 2.8 per cent.
In June 2009, the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices went down by 0.1 per cent over the previous month. This primarily reflected a decrease of 1.6 per cent in the Food and Non-alcoholic beverages Index mainly due to price decreases in vegetables. The Transport Index went down by 0.8 per cent mainly on account of lower air fares. Lower prices of spirits caused the Alcoholic beverages and Tobacco Index to go down by 0.1 per cent. The Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels Index went down by 0.1 per cent mainly due to lower rents charged to tenants.
Higher prices of accommodation services caused the Restaurants and Hotels Index to go up by 1.3 per cent. Seasonal price rises in garments caused the Clothing and Footwear Index to go up by 0.3 per cent. Upward shifts in the prices of certain jewellery underlay an increase of 0.3 per cent in the Miscellaneous Goods and Services Index. The Furniture, Household Equipment and Routine Maintenance of the House Index registered an increase of 0.2 per cent, on account of higher prices of furniture and furnishings. Higher prices of package holidays caused the Recreation and Culture Index to increase by 0.2 per cent. The Health Index went up by 0.1 per cent due to an increase in medical and paramedical fees.