Lower electricity rates for domestic users helped push down inflation in February, although the benefit was almost wiped out by rises elsewhere, notably in higher food and restaurant prices.

Figures issued by the NSO today show that in February, the annual rate of inflation as measured by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices stood at 0.6 per cent from 0.8 per cent in February last year.

The largest upward impacts on annual inflation were brought about by the Food and Non alcoholic Beverages Index (0.4 percentage points), the Restaurants and Hotels Index (0.4 percentage points) and the Miscellaneous Goods and Services Index (0.2 percentage points). This was mainly due to higher prices of vegetables, restaurant services and fees charged by homesfor the elderly.  

The main downward impacts were recorded in the Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels Index (-0.7 percentage points), the Transport Index (-0.1 percentage points) and the Furniture, Household Appliances and Routine Maintenance of the House Index (-0.1 percentage points).

This was mainly due to lower electricity rates, cheaper fuel and discounted furniture items.

The 12-month moving average rate was 0.7 per cent