Price index down marginally in August

The Retail Price Index went down marginaly last month, NSO figures issued this morning show.

The RPI went down to 117.69 from 117.70 in July 2009. This primarily reflected a decrease of 7.79 percent in the Clothing and Footwear Index, mainly on account of seasonal price decreases in garments. A fall of 0.15 percent was registered in the Recreation and Culture Index, mainly due to price decreases in computers and sports equipment. Lower prices of jewellery caused the Other Goods and Services Index to go down by 0.10 percent.

The Water, Electricity, Gas and Fuels Index went up by 3.09 percent, mainly due to an increase in the price of gas. Higher prices of vegetables caused the Food Index to go up by 0.96 per cent.

Upward shifts in the prices of cosmetic articles and medical equipment caused the Personal Care and Health Index to go up by 0.28 per cent.

The Beverages and Tobacco Index went up by 0.17 per cent, mainly on account of price increases in non-alcoholic beverages and served alcoholic beverages. The Household Equipment and House Maintenance Cost Index increased by 0.11 per cent, mainly as a result of price increases in household textiles. Higher prices for construction works underlay an increase of 0.02 percent in the Housing Index.

In August the twelve-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 3.71 per cent, whereas the annual rate stood at 1.56 per cent, from 3.95 and 1.48 respectively in July.