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

Starting from 12 June, data can be submitted to Statistics Estonia in the new self-service environment at uuringud.stat.ee or via the button “Go to self-service” at the top of Statistics Estonia's website.