In December, the consumer price index was influenced the most by energy
According to Statistics Estonia, the change of the consumer price index in December 2015 was -0.7% compared to November 2015 and -0.9% compared to December of the previous year.
Compared to December 2014, goods were 0.5% and services 1.5% cheaper. Regulated prices of goods and services have fallen by 3.1% and non-regulated prices by 0.2% compared to December of the previous year.
Compared to December 2014, the consumer price index was influenced the most by electricity, heat energy and fuels, which have become 8.8% cheaper. Heat energy was 10.1%, gas 20% and the electricity that arrived at homes 8.3% cheaper than in the same month of the previous year. Motor fuel also had a bigger impact on the index, as its price has decreased by 12.3% compared to December 2014. The prices of milk and dairy products have decreased by 8.3%. Out of the products which became more expensive, alcoholic beverages had the biggest impact on the index, as their prices have increased 6.8% compared to December of the previous year. Compared to December 2014, of food products, the prices of dried fruit and nuts (17%) and sugar (14%) have increased the most, whereas the prices of milk and butter have decreased the most (17% and 15%, respectively).
The last time the change in the consumer price index compared to the same period of the previous year was below -0.9% was in January 2015 when the change was -1.3%.
Compared to November, in December housing had the biggest impact on the consumer price index, as the electricity that arrived at homes was 6% and rent was 5.3% cheaper. Motor fuels, which became 6% cheaper, also had a bigger impact on the monthly change of the index.| Commodity group | December 2014 – December 2015, % | November 2015 – December 2015, % |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL | -0,9 | -0,7 |
| Food and non-alcoholic beverages | -0,6 | 0,0 |
| Alcoholic beverages and tobacco | 5,4 | -0,3 |
| Clothing and footwear | 3,5 | -1,2 |
| Housing | -4,8 | -2,3 |
| Household goods | 1,5 | 0,0 |
| Health | 2,3 | -0,3 |
| Transport | -6,9 | -2,4 |
| Communications | -0,6 | -0,1 |
| Recreation and culture | 3,3 | 0,8 |
| Education | -14,8 | 0,0 |
| Hotels, cafés and restaurants | 2,8 | -0,5 |
| Miscellaneous goods and services | 2,9 | 0,7 |