The 12-month moving average of inflation rose to 4.7 percent in December from 4.5% in November, the highest it has been for several years, NSO figures issued this morning show.
It said the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices went up by 0.2 per cent over the previous month while annual inflation was 5% (November = 4.9%).
The NSO said the increase in consumer prices was primarily due to an increase of 2.1 percent in the Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages Index owing to higher fruit and vegetable prices.
The Transport Index decreased by 1.9 per cent, mainly due to lower fuel prices. Price reductions
in package holidays caused the Recreation and Culture Index to go down by 1.1 per cent.