In January 2024, the Consumer Price Index increased by 0.3 percent compared to the previous month, while the annual inflation rate amounted to 0.0 percent, the National Statistic Service (GeoStat) reported.

Concerning the annual core inflation, the prices increased by 1.4 percent, while the annual core inflation without tobacco amounted to 1.2 percent.

The monthly inflation rate was mainly influenced by price changes for the following groups:

Food and non-alcoholic beverages: the prices for the group increased by 1.7 percent, contributing 0.56 percentage points to the overall monthly inflation rate. The prices increased for the following subgroups: vegetables (5.9 percent), fruit and grapes (4.7 percent), sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and confectionery (3.9 percent), fish (2.9 percent), oils and fats (2.1 percent), milk, cheese and eggs (1.7 percent);

Health: the prices increased by 1.1 percent, contributing 0.1 percentage points to the overall index. The prices were higher for the following subgroups: medical products, appliances and equipment (1.5 percent), hospital services (0.8 percent) and out-patient services (0.3 percent);

Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance: the prices for the group posted a 1.4 percent increase, which contributed 0.08 percentage points to the overall monthly inflation rate. Within the group the prices increased for furniture and furnishings, carpets and other floor coverings (4.1 percent), goods and services for routine household maintenance (2.4 percent);

Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels: the prices for the group decreased by 3.6 percent, which contributed -0.31 percentage points to the monthly inflation rate. The prices were lower for electricity, gas and other fuels (-5.3 percent) and actual rentals for housing (-1.6 percent).

The annual inflation rate was mainly influenced by price changes for the following groups:

Transport: the prices for the group increased by 4.3 percent, contributing 0.53 percentage points to the overall index. Within the group the prices increased for the following subgroups: purchase of vehicles (7.8 percent), operation of personal transport equipment (4.2 percent), transport services (2.8 percent);

Miscellaneous goods and services: the prices for the group increased by 9.2 percent, contributing 0.49 percentage points to the overall index. Within the group, the prices were higher mainly for the following subgroups: financial services n.e.c. (26.6 percent), personal effects n.e.c. (4.4 percent), personal care (4.1 percent);

Alcoholic beverages and tobacco: the prices increased by 3.5 percent, with the relevant contribution of 0.24 percentage points to the overall index. The prices increased for both tobacco (4.8 percent) and alcoholic beverages (2.8 percent);

Food and non-alcoholic beverages: the prices in the group decreased by 2.4 percent, contributing -0.82 percentage points to the overall annual inflation rate. Within the group the prices decreased for the following subgroups: oils and fats (-15.9 percent), vegetables (-11.3 percent), bread and cereals (-9.0 percent), milk, cheese and eggs (-4.1 percent). At the same time, the prices increased for the following subgroups: fruit and grapes (19.7 percent), meat (6.1 percent), mineral waters, soft drinks, fruit and vegetable juices (2.9 percent), sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and confectionery (2.7 percent), fish (1.9 percent), coffee, tea and cocoa (1.3 percent);

Health: the prices decreased by 3.3 percent, contributing -0.32 percentage points to the overall index. The prices were lower for medical products, appliances and equipment (-7.7 percent). At the same time, the prices increased for out-patient services (5.6 percent) and hospital services (3.9 percent).