Consumer price index still on the rise
Compared to May 2017, goods were 3.4% and services 2.4% more expensive. Regulated prices of goods and services have risen by 8.0% and non-regulated prices by 1.7% compared to May of the previous year.
Compared to May 2017, the consumer price index was affected the most by more expensive operation of personal transport equipment, which contributed over a quarter of the total increase of the index. Petrol was 14.8% and diesel fuel 11.9% more expensive compared to May 2017. Nearly a quarter of the total increase of the index was contributed by alcoholic beverages and tobacco, which became 13.6% and 5.5% more expensive, respectively. 32.7% more expensive beer contributed two thirds of the price increase of alcoholic beverages and tobacco. Food and non‑alcoholic beverages accounted for over a fifth of the total increase of the index, of which 60% was contributed by 5.4% more expensive milk, milk products and eggs, 12% more expensive ready‑made meals and 9.5% more expensive fresh vegetables. Compared to May of the previous year, of food products, the biggest price increases were seen for eggs (35%), frozen fruit and berries (28%) and butter (23%), and the biggest price decrease was seen for sugar (21%).
Compared to April 2018, in May the consumer price index was affected the most by food and non-alcoholic beverages. In May, eggs were 15.2% and some bakery products 5% more expensive compared to the previous month. A greater impact on the monthly change came also from catering services and accommodation, where the price increase was 1% and 9.4%, respectively.| Commodity group | May 2017 – May 2018, % | April 2018 – May 2018, % |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL | 3.0 | 0.3 |
| Food and non-alcoholic beverages | 2.9 | 0.8 |
| Alcoholic beverages and tobacco | 11.2 | 0.3 |
| Clothing and footwear | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Housing | 4.2 | -0.3 |
| Household goods | -0.4 | -0.2 |
| Health | 4.5 | 0.0 |
| Transport | 3.8 | 0.5 |
| Communications | -4.6 | -2.2 |
| Recreation and culture | 1.3 | -0.3 |
| Education | -5.4 | 1.3 |
| Hotels, cafés and restaurants | 4.0 | 2.5 |
| Miscellaneous goods and services | 3.2 | 0.4 |
Statistics Estonia publishes the consumer price index on the 5th working day of each month, after the end of the reporting period. 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 the data necessary for conducting the statistical activity.