Year-on-year, prices advanced faster for transport (1.6 percent compared to 0.3 percent in January); housing and utilities (8.6 percent compared to 7.1 percent) and clothing and footwear (3.3 percent compared to 2.7 percent). Additionally, cost increased further for restaurants and hotels (0.9 percent compared to 0.8 percent) and miscellaneous goods and services (2.7 percent compared to 2.6 percent). Also, prices declined less for communication (-0.2 percent compared to -1.0 percent). On the other hand, prices slowed for food and non-alcoholic beverages (5.4 percent compared to 6.3 percent); furnishing and household equipment (1.6 percent compared to 1.8 percent); alcoholic beverages and tobacco (2.3 percent compared to 2.6 percent) and recreation and culture (1.5 percent compared to 2.0 percent). In addition, inflation was steady for health (1.6 percent, the same as in January) and education (2.5 percent).
On a monthly basis, consumer prices went up 1.1 percent, after a 0.8 percent rise in January. Prices of transport rose faster to 0.8 percent from 0.3 percent, mainly due to petrol (+2.3 percent) and diesel (+2.1 percent).
Annual core inflation, which excludes food and energy, increased 1.7 percent, after a 1.4 percent increase in the prior month.