The Retail Price Index went up by 0.44 per cent to 114.58 in May over April, the National Statistics Office said yesterday.

This primarily reflected an increase of 1.50 per cent in the clothing and footwear index, mainly due to seasonal price rises in garments.

Also in May, the 12-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 2.60 per cent, while the annual rate was 3.75 per cent.

The transport and communication index went up by 1.09 per cent, on account of higher air fares. The beverages and tobacco index registered a rise of 0.28 per cent, brought about by an increase in the price of non-alcoholic beverages.

The water, electricity, gas and fuels index increased by 0.26 per cent because of costlier liquid fuels.

A 0.20 per cent rise in the food index was the result of more expensive fruit, dairy and wheat products. The personal care and health index shifted upwards by 0.17 per cent, because of more expensive hygienic articles and toiletries.

The housing index increased by 0.10 per cent, affected by increases in the prices of materials used in construction work. Marginal increases were recorded in the recreation and culture index and in the household equipment and house maintenance cost index.

The other goods and services index showed a drop of 0.17 per cent, mainly through lower prices of timepieces.