RPI unchanged in May

The Retail Price Index in May remained unchanged from April at 118.65, the NSO said today.

An increase of 1.09 percent in the Clothing and Footwear Index was registered, mainly due to price rises in garments and footwear. The Housing Index went up by 0.14 per cent, on account of higher rental fees. Higher prices of non-durable household goods reflected an increase of 0.13 per cent in the Other Goods and Services Index.

The Personal Care and Health Index went up by 0.07 per cent, mainly due to price rises in make-up articles and toiletries. The Beverages and Tobacco Index also registered an increase of 0.07 per cent mainly due to higher prices of non-alcoholic beverages.

The Recreation and Culture Index registered a decrease of 0.57 per cent, mainly on account of lower prices of books. Decreases in the prices of vegetables caused the Food Index to go down by 0.12 per cent. The Transport and Communications Index went down by 0.11 per cent, mainly on account of lower air fares.

In May the 12-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 4.34 per cent, whereas the annual rate stood at 3.55 per cent