Main upward pressure came from a 38.7% rise in cost of electricity after prices fell sharply a year earlier as the government announced a temporary non-payment of contributions.

Other upward pressure came from alcoholic beverages and tobacco (3.3%); education (0.7%); health (0.5%); and restaurants and hotels (0.5%). In contrast, prices were down for transport (-0.8%) and food (-0.7%).

On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased by 0.3%, the same as in February.