The consumer price index (CPI) rose 18.6% year-on-year in January, following a 17.6% gain in December.

Housing costs were 31.6% more expensive in January, and prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages grew 31.6%.

Transport charges showed an annual growth of 12.1%, and those for hotels, cafes, and restaurants moved up 16.5%.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices rebounded 0.8% in January, after falling slightly by 0.1% in December.