7 - 13 December 2000

Inflation up by 0.01 per cent

Inflation increased by 0.01 per cent in October to 2.66 per cent, compared to 2.67 per cent a month earlier, according to figures released yesterday by the Central Office of Statistics.
For the first nine months of the year, inflation increased from 2.29 per cent in January 2000 to 2.66 per cent in October, an increase of 0.37 per cent. Compared to the same period last year, inflation increased by 0.88 per cent from 1.78 in October 1999.
In October, the sections that were monitored for index purposes included food, beverages and tobacco, personal care and health, education, entertainment and recreation and other goods and services, the COS said.
The food items index went up by 1.54 points or 1.39 per cent to 112.42 from 110.88 in the previous month. Price increases were recorded for frozen meat, fresh fish, cheese, milk, potatoes, fresh vegetables, confectionery and sugar. Price drops were registered for edible oil and fresh fruit.
The index for beverages and tobacco went up by 0.44 points or 0.33 per cent. Higher average prices were recorded for hot drinks, soft drinks, beer and juices.
The index for personal care and health went up by 0.07 points or 0.06 per cent. Higher average prices for some medicinal products within this section did not affect the all items index.
The education, entertainment and recreation index increased by 0.60 points or 0.53 per cent. The increase in this section was due to higher average prices for books, magazines and periodicals, education and stationery goods and toys.
The increase of 0.03 points or 0.03 per cent in the other goods and services index was due to higher average prices for some cleaning material products. This change did not affect the all items index.