The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices went up 0.5 per cent to 112.76 last month, from 112.21 in November.

The National Statistics Office said this primarily reflected an increase of two per cent in the Transport Index, due to a rise in the price of fuels.

A seasonal increase in the price of garments caused the Clothing and Footwear Index to go up by 1.7 per cent.

The alcoholic beverages and tobacco index went up by 0.9 per cent due to the higher price of cigarettes.

An upward movement in the price of jewellery was the main factor behind a 0.6 per cent increase in the miscellaneous goods and services index.

The housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels index went up by 0.3 per cent, on account of higher gas prices.

Higher prices of fruit underlay a 0.2 per cent increase in the food and non-alcoholic beverages index.

The health index and the restaurants and hotels index both edged up by 0.2 per cent, on account of higher fees for medical/paramedical services and accommodation services, respectively.

The communication index went down by 0.6 per cent due to lower fees for telephone equipment and services. The recreation and culture index showed a similar drop due to a downward movement in the price of package tours.

In December, the 12-month moving average rate of inflation stood at two per cent, whereas the annual rate of inflation stood at four per cent.