Prices down in second highest fall from September
Malta went into deflation mode last month, registering the second highest fall in prices in the eurozone compared to September, at -0.4 per cent.
Only Finland's deflation was higher, at a month-on-month rate of -0.5 per cent, according to the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices issued in Brussels.
Meanwhile, prices in the euro area started to climb again by 0.2 per cent, a further indication that the 16-member eurozone countries are slowly coming out of the global recession.
Malta still had a high inflation rate on a 12-month average basis. At 2.7 per cent in October, it was the highest in the euro area where the average stood at 0.5 per cent.
The lowest annual rates were observed in Ireland (-2.8 per cent), Estonia (-2.1 per cent) and Portugal (-1.6 per cent) and the highest in Romania (4.3 per cent), Hungary (4.2 per cent) and Poland (3.8 per cent).
Compared with September, annual inflation fell in 11 member states and rose in 15.
According to figures released by the National Statistics Office, prices in Malta have fallen in the communications industry by 5.1 per cent over the past year due to lower mobile phone rates, as did prices in transport by 5.6 per cent.
A sizeable increase of 8.6 per cent, however, was registered in the price of education compared to 1.5 per cent in the eurozone. Healthcare also rose by 4.9 per cent compared to the eurozone rate of 1.1 per cent. Food prices in the euro area fell by 1.5 per cent, whereas in Malta they grew by 1.4 per cent.
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Joe Vella
Nov 19th 2009, 17:29
The Gloom and Doom crown continue to amaze everyday. When figures showed that inflation was on the way up, they never questioned the data. However, all of a sudden now that inflation data start showing that inflation is on the way down, the Gloom and Doom start questioning the Data.
Phil Press
Nov 19th 2009, 17:00
@Lianne. You forgot to mention the cheap ferry fare, you get.
Lianne Williams
Nov 19th 2009, 15:35
We shop in big supermarkets one of them is Lidl's and believe me we save a hell of a lot on weekly shopping, one draw back we have to make a special trip from Gozo to the main island, but still we come back with plenty more in our shopping bags then what we normally get in these potsie corner shops in Gozo, but please do not take my word for it, check it out for yourselves, i look after No:- ONE, the rest is not my problem
Karl Abela
Nov 19th 2009, 14:22
We can all combat inflation. You just need to stand up and act and not let yourself to be the demotivated by Labour mottos about 'L-gholi tal-hajja'. Labour only has votes to win but YOU have money to save.
Electricity? Ignorance is the first killer. If you fail to take the grants provided by the government on electricity saving then its your fault. Solar heaters, e/saving light bulbs and Triple A e/saving appliances will chop off your electricity bill by two thirds in an instant.
Food? Doing your monthly grocery purchase from a recently opened huge supermarket instead of a small grocery store can reduce your bill by up to 25% !!! Dont go too late though, the prices are so good that you end up with empty shelves by 10am.
Clothes? Nowadays you get warehouse sales with the best products & makes at the price of spare change.
Cars? A friend of mine recently purchased a fully loaded used renault megane from the UK for LM4000 including reg tax, transporation, etc.
Travel? I just booked a flight to London for just Lm11.50 taxes included, yes taxes included.
Whoever wants a copy of the receipts just send me an email.
Lawrence Martinelli
Nov 19th 2009, 11:43
Is this a joke or something ?
I have travelled to most Euroland countries before AND after the introduction
of the Euro.....all ( I mean ALL) Euroland countries'
prices for essentionals have increased by 50% upwards.
Yes.....some prices ( sic : telephone calls have gone down )
Big deal !
Paul micallef
Nov 19th 2009, 11:30
Please give me an example where the prices have went down? medicines maybe? food?
I would like to point out that the goverment should realy take into consideration adopting a tapes and measure rule to certain businesses as it seems that everything that you buy now a days seems to get smaller and smaller, example, pre packed ham, cheese, you pay for one kilo and you get 850 grams, the bread is getting smaller, paint is getting lighter, do you get my DRIFT, can the goverment at least supply a body of people that can overlook our basic rights as we are paying for these things.
lgalea
Nov 19th 2009, 10:27
Were those who checked the prices ever in Malta?
Ask the people not the government.