Annual Inflation Rate Equals 4.3% in Georgia

In June 2019 the Consumer Price Index decreased by 1.0 percent compared to the previous month, while the annual inflation rate amounted to 4.3 percent, the National Statistics Office of Georgia reports. 

The price of food and non-alcoholic beverages decreased by 3.9% in June 2019, show the latest inflation data by the National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat). The monthly inflation rate was mainly influenced by price changes for the following groups:

Food and non-alcoholic beverages: the prices in the group decreased by 3.9 percent, contributing -1.23 percentage points to the overall monthly inflation rate. Within the group, the prices were lower for the following subgroups: vegetables (-27.9 percent), fruit and grapes (-5.8 percent).

Meanwhile, the prices increased for sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and confectionery (1.3 percent), also for milk, cheese, and eggs (0.7 percent);

Transport: the prices went up by 0.9 percent, contributing 0.1 percentage points to the overall monthly inflation rate. The prices in the group increased for purchase of vehicles (1.1 percent) and for the operation of personal transport equipment (1.0 percent);

Health: the prices went up by 0.8 percent, contributing 0.06 percentage points to the overall monthly inflation rate. The prices increased for medical products, appliances, and equipment (1.9 percent).

The annual inflation rate was mainly influenced by price changes for the following groups:

Food and non-alcoholic beverages: the prices within the group increased by 6.5 percent, contributing 1.94 percentage points to the overall annual inflation rate. Within the group the prices were higher for the following subgroups: fish (13.3 percent), vegetables (11.9 percent), bread and cereals (11.7 percent), meat (6.4 percent), milk, cheese and eggs (6.1 percent), mineral waters, soft drinks, fruit and vegetable juices (4.3 percent), also sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and confectionery (4.2 percent).

Meanwhile, the prices decreased for fruit and grapes (-11.6 percent);

Alcoholic beverages and tobacco: the prices increased by 20.1 percent, with a relevant contribution of 1.33 percentage points to the overall annual CPI growth. The prices increased for tobacco (42.7 percent);

Transport: the prices increased by 3.2 percent, which resulted in a 0.4 percentage point contribution to the overall annual inflation rate. The prices were higher mainly for the operation of personal transport equipment (3.9 percent) and transport services (2.1 percent);

Recreation and culture: the prices went up by 5.0 percent, contributing 0.29 percentage points to the overall annual inflation rate. The prices in the group increased for recreational and cultural services (6.5 percent);

Health: the prices went up by 2.9 percent, contributing 0.24 percentage points to the overall annual inflation rate. The prices increased for the following subgroups: medical products, appliances, and equipment (4.0 percent), out-patient services (2.9 percent) and hospital services (1.7 percent).

Overall, Georgia’s monthly inflation posted a one percent decrease in June 2018, while the annual inflation rate amounted to 4.3%.

Photo: National Statistics Office of Georgia 

By Ana Dumbadze 

05 July 2019 16:05