Monthly change of the consumer price index was mainly influenced by transport and alcoholic beverages in December

News
Posted on 6 January 2012, 10:00
According to Statistics Estonia, the change of the consumer price index was 0.1% in December 2011 compared to November and 3.7% compared to December of the previous year.

Goods were 3.4% and services 4.4% more expensive compared to December 2010.

Regulated prices of goods and services have risen by 6.5% and non-regulated prices by 2.8% compared to December 2010.

Compared to December 2010, the consumer price index was mainly influenced by housing expenditures, which gave over a third of the total increase. Of which in turn almost 60% gave 11.1% more expensive heat energy and 6.7% more expensive electricity. Food and non-alcoholic beverages gave nearly a quarter of the total increase of the index, of which a half was counted by 7.7% more expensive meat products. 10% more expensive motor fuel gave a seventh of the total increase. In December 2011 compared to the same period a year ago, the postal services (52%), sugar (43%) and coffee (37%) have increased the most. In December 2011, potatoes and fresh vegetables were 27% cheaper than in the previous year. The 12-month change of the consumer price index remained below 4% last in August 2010 when it was 2.9%.

In December compared to November, the consumer price index was mainly influenced by the 0.9% more expensive transport and 2% cheaper alcoholic beverages. Extensive sales of alcoholic beverages caused the price decrease of alcohol. Compared to November, the transport index was mainly influenced by 37.5% more expensive flight tickets (at the same time flight tickets were 1.2% more expensive than in December 2010) and by 1% more expensive motor fuel.

Change of the consumer price index by commodity groups, December 2011
Commodity group December 2010 –
December 2011, %
November 2011 –
December 2011, %
TOTAL 3.7 0.1
Food and non-alcoholic beverages 3.6 0.2
Alcoholic beverages and tobacco 3.5 -1.5
Clothing and footwear 4.5 -0.1
Housing 7.5 0.0
Household goods 2.2 -0.3
Health 1.4 0.0
Transport 4.5 0.9
Communications -6.3 -0.1
Recreation and culture 0.5 0.5
Education 2.0 0.0
Hotels, cafés and restaurants 8.9 0.1
Miscellaneous goods and services 3.8 0.5