Published on: 15 January 2019

Prices increased by 2.7% in December and by 2.8% in 2018 on average

Consumer prices were 2.7% higher on average in December 2018 than a year earlier. Significant price increases were measured over the past year for alcoholic beverages and tobacco as well as food. In 2018 as a whole, consumer prices rose by 2.8% on average compared to the previous year.

In December 2018 compared to December 2017:

Food prices increased by 4.7%, within which the price of seasonal food items (potatoes, fresh vegetables and fruits) became 22.4%, flour prices 10.5% and the price of bread 6.4% higher, while eggs prices 26.0% and the price of sugar 12.9% lower. The price of alcoholic beverages and tobacco rose by 5.2% on average, within which tobacco prices by 7.4%. Consumers paid 2.3% more for services. Electricity, gas and other fuels turned 1.2%, within which butane and propane gas 11.9% and firewood 8.1% more expensive.

In December 2018 compared to November 2018:

Consumer prices decreased by 0.3% on average. Food prices rose by 0.3%, within which fish became 3.0%, edible oil 2.1% and eggs 0.9% more expensive, while flour 2.4%, sugar 1.0% and poultry meat 0.6% cheaper. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco cost 0.5% more for consumers, within which tobacco became 1.1% more expensive. The price of electricity, gas and other fuels was up by 0.1%, within which butane and propane gas prices by 0.8% and the price of firewood by 1.1%. Consumers paid 6.9% less for motor fuels.

In 2018 compared to the previous year:

Consumer prices rose by 2.8% on average, within which food prices by 4.2%. The highest price rise of 5.6% was recorded for alcoholic beverages and tobacco. The price of other goods went up by 3.8%, services prices by 1.6%, the price of electricity, gas and other fuels by 1.4% and that of clothing and footwear by 0.5% on average. Consumers paid 0.4% less for consumer durables.

Consumer price indices

(%)

Denomination December 2018 Year 2018
previous month = 100.0 corresponding month of previous year = 100.0 previous year = 100.0
Consumer price index99.7102.7102.8
Harmonised consumer price index99.6102.8102.9
Core inflation (seasonally adjusted)100.4102.8102.5
Consumer price index for pensioners99.9102.8102.7