In October 2008, the Retail Price Index went up by 2.14 per cent over the previous month from 116.84 in September to 119.34, the National Statistics Office said yesterday. This primarily reflected an increase of 14.51 per cent in the Water, Electricity, Gas and Fuels Index, mainly due to higher water and electricity tariffs.

The Clothing and Footwear Index went up by 8.86 per cent, as a result of price rises in clothing items. The Food Index registered an increase of 3.13 per cent, with price increases of vegetables and fruit being the main contributory factor. Higher educational fees and prices of newspapers underlay an increase of 1.52 per cent in the Recreation and Culture Index.

The Housing Index rose by 0.73 per cent, mainly on account of costlier maintenance and repair of dwellings. The Beverages and Tobacco Index registered an increase of 0.55 per cent, which was mainly brought about by higher prices of served non-alcoholic beverages. Upward shifts in the prices of motor cars and road transport resulted in a 0.16 per cent rise in the Transport and Communication Index.

The Personal Care and Health Index went up by 0.14 per cent on account of higher prices of products used for personal hygiene and of other toilet preparations. Increases in pet food prices caused the Other Goods and Services Index to rise by 0.12 per cent.

In October, the 12-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 3.99 per cent, whereas the annual rate stood at 5.42 per cent

In November, the Retail Price Index decreased to 118.97, or 0.31 per cent over the previous month. This primarily reflected a drop of 1.86 per cent in the Transport and Communications Index, mainly due to a decrease in air fares. The Food Index registered a drop of 0.85 per cent, mainly on account of vegetables. Other decreases were registered in the Housing Index and the Household Equipment and House Maintenance Cost Index.

Seasonal price increases of garments caused the Clothing and Footwear Index to increase by 2.73 per cent. A rise in the price of tobacco underlay an increase of 1.75 per cent in the Beverages and Tobacco Index. The Other Goods and Services Index went up by 0.23 per cent mainly due to increases in the price of pet food and non-durable household goods. A rise of 0.08 was recorded in the Recreation and Culture Index due to higher prices of books and newspapers. Upward shifts in the prices of hairdressing and grooming services caused an increase of 0.06 per cent in the Personal Care and Health Index.

In November, the 12-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 4.12 per cent, whereas the annual rate stood at 4.82 per cent.