Consumer price index increased in the 4th quarter
According to Statistics Estonia, in the 4th quarter of 2008 the percentage change of the consumer price index was 0.6% compared to the 3rd quarter and 8.3% compared to the 4th quarter of the previous year.
In the 4th quarter of 2008 compared to the previous quarter, the consumer price index was mainly influenced by the decrease in the prices of motor fuel (-18.5%) and by the increase in the prices of heat energy and tobacco (28.2% and 18.8%, respectively).
In the 4th quarter compared to the 4th quarter of 2007, the prices of goods increased by 6.1%, of which the prices of food products by 11.8% and the prices of manufactured goods by 1.5%. The annual increase of prices of services was 12.5%. The index was mainly influenced by the price increase of heat energy (55.1%), food (7.0%), alcoholic beverages (18.0%) and tobacco (51.1%).
Change of the consumer price index by commodity groups, 4th quarter 2008
| Commodity group | 3rd quarter 2008 – 4th quarter 2008, % | 4th quarter 2007 – 4th quarter 2008, % |
| TOTAL | 0.6 | 8.3 |
| Food and non-alcoholic beverages | -0.8 | 6.8 |
| Alcoholic beverages and tobacco | 6.5 | 26.5 |
| Clothing and footwear | 4.1 | 3.0 |
| Housing | 7.1 | 17.8 |
| Household goods | 1.5 | 5.0 |
| Health | 0.5 | 6.7 |
| Transport | -8.0 | 3.3 |
| Communications | -0.2 | -1.2 |
| Recreation and culture | 0.0 | 1.7 |
| Education | 3.3 | 8.9 |
| Hotels, cafés and restaurants | 0.3 | 9.9 |
| Miscellaneous goods and services | 0.2 | 6.5 |