RPI down 2.25 percent

The Retail Price Index went down by 2.25 percent last month when compared to December.

The National Statistics Office said this primarily reflected a decrease of 19.46 percent in the Clothing and Footwear Index, mainly due to seasonal price reductions. The Transport and Communication Index dropped by 4.17 percent, mainly brought about by lower fuel prices.

Lower prices of fish underlay a decline of 0.17 percent in the Food Index. Seasonal price reductions of household textiles brought about a decrease of 0.13 percent in the Household Equipment and House Maintenance Cost Index.

The Personal Care and Health Index registered a rise of 0.64 per cent mainly due to price increases in medical services. The Water, Electricity, Gas and Fuels Index went up by 0.56 percent, mainly on account of a rise in the electricity meter rent.

Costlier domestic help services brought about an increase of 0.20 percent in the Other Goods and Services Index. The Recreation

and Culture Index registered an increase of 0.08 percent, mainly due to price rises in computers and computer parts. The Beverages and Tobacco Index went up by 0.06 percent, mainly due to higher prices of non-alcoholic served beverages.

In January the twelve-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 4.26 per cent, whereas the annual rate stood at 3.58 per cent.