Higher fuel prices had the biggest impact on the consumer price index in 2021
According to Statistics Estonia, in 2021, the consumer price index increased by 4.6% compared to the average of 2020.
Viktoria Trasanov, leading analyst at Statistics Estonia, said that the biggest impact on the consumer price index in 2021 came from housing- and transport-related price increases, which together accounted for more than two thirds of the total increase. “Compared to 2020, electricity that reached homes was 44.5% and gas 27.5% more expensive. Petrol was 14.1%, diesel fuel 12.8% and the purchase of vehicles 8.4% more expensive. Among food products, the biggest increase was recorded in the prices of potatoes (23.5%) and fresh vegetables (12.7%),” said Trasanov.
| Commodity group | 2020–2021, % |
|---|---|
| TOTAL | 4.6 |
| Food and non-alcoholic beverages | 1.8 |
| Alcoholic beverages and tobacco | 1.9 |
| Clothing and footwear | 0.4 |
| Housing | 12.8 |
| Household goods | 3.3 |
| Health | 2.8 |
| Transport | 9.6 |
| Communications | -2.4 |
| Recreation and culture | 4.1 |
| Education | 4.8 |
| Hotels, cafés and restaurants | 3.0 |
| Miscellaneous goods and services | 2.6 |
In December 2021, the consumer price index increased by 12.2% compared to December 2020 and by 3.1% compared to November 2021. Goods were 7.9% and services 20.7% more expensive than in December 2020.
Compared to December 2020, the consumer price index was affected the most by the increased prices of electricity, gas and other fuels, which contributed a half of the total rise. Electricity that reached homes was 120.0%, central heating 40.1% and gas 122.5% more expensive. The impact of transport-related price changes on the index change was nearly 20%. Petrol was 25.5% and diesel fuel 29.4% more expensive, while vehicle prices rose by 17%. Of food products, the biggest increase occurred in the prices of potatoes (110.1%), fresh fish (35.2%) and fresh vegetables (26.7%).
Compared to November, the consumer price index of December 2021 was affected the most by the rise in the prices of electricity, gas and other fuels. Electricity that reached homes was 54% and central heating 35.2% more expensive in December. Pipeline gas was 5.4% cheaper, which resulted from the Government’s decision to compensate 100% of the network service fees to all consumers via network operators.
| Commodity group | December 2020 – December 2021, % | November 2021 – December 2021, % |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL | 12.2 | 3.1 |
| Food and non-alcoholic beverages | 6.1 | -0.2 |
| Alcoholic beverages and tobacco | 3.1 | -0.8 |
| Clothing and footwear | 4.3 | -1.2 |
| Housing | 43.1 | 19.5 |
| Household goods | 7.7 | 1.2 |
| Health | 3.5 | 0.9 |
| Transport | 17.8 | -0.3 |
| Communications | -3.6 | -2.2 |
| Recreation and culture | 6.4 | 0.1 |
| Education | 2.8 | 0.0 |
| Hotels, cafés and restaurants | 6.0 | 0.4 |
| Miscellaneous goods and services | 4.6 | 0.6 |
See also the consumer price index calculator and the prices section on the website.
For the statistical activity “Consumer price index”, the main representative of public interest is the Ministry of Finance, commissioned by whom Statistics Estonia collects and analyses data.
More detailed data have been published in the statistical database.
For further information:
Kadri Kütt
Media Relations Manager
Marketing and Dissemination Department
Statistics Estonia
Tel +372 625 9181