The month-over-month increase in consumer prices was 0.5%, reflecting higher costs for food, services, and motor fuels.
In 2024, services experienced the highest annual price hike, rising by 8.9%. Food prices increased by 2.8%, while costs for alcoholic beverages and tobacco rose by 4.4%. Clothing and footwear were up 4.2%, and prices in the category of other goods—including motor fuels—grew by 1.7%.
Electricity, gas, and other fuels saw a notable decrease in prices, down 4.6% compared to the previous year, while consumer durables became 0.9% cheaper. Among pensioner households, inflation also averaged 3.7%.
In December, food prices were 5.4% higher than in the same month in 2023. Flour prices surged 36.2%, while eggs increased by 21.9%, and milk rose by 19.5%. Other notable increases included butter (16.4%) and fruit and vegetable juices (17.3%). Conversely, pasta products saw a price decrease of 7.1%, other meat preparations dropped 3.4%, and margarine prices fell by 3.0%.
Service costs increased by 6.8% over the year, with rents jumping 12.6%, vehicle repair and maintenance rising by 10.5%, and recreational services up 7.1%. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco prices grew by 4.3%, driven by a 4.5% increase in tobacco prices.
The price of motor fuels rose 8.3%, while consumer durables, including new passenger cars and living room furniture, showed modest price increases of 5.3% and 2.7%, respectively.
From November to December 2024, consumer prices rose by 0.5%. Eggs experienced a sharp price increase of 10.7%, butter rose 6.9%, and fruit and vegetable juices were up 4.4%. However, prices for flour, chocolate and cocoa, and sugar saw declines of 4.4%, 3.0%, and 0.8%, respectively.
Motor fuel prices rose by 2.2% in December, while electricity, gas, and other fuels increased by 1.7%, including a 3.3% hike for natural and manufactured gas.
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