Annual inflation up to 3.3% in February
The annual rate of inflation increased to 3.3% in February, up from 3.0% in January.
Consumer prices in February increased by 1.1% in the month. This compares to an increase of 0.8% in February of last year.
The EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) increased by 1.2%, compared to an increase of 0.9% in February 2005. The annual rate of inflation, as measured by the HICP, increased from 2.5% in January to 2.7% in February.
The most notable changes in the year were increases in housing, water, electricity, gas & other Fuels (+12.3%), transport (+5.7%), health (+4.7%), education (+4.6%) and restaurants & Hhtels (+3.5%).
There were decreases in furnishings, household equipment & routine household maintenance (-1.5%) and Communications (-1.3%).
The annual rate of inflation for goods was 2.0% in February while the corresponding rate for services was 4.4%.
The most significant monthly price changes were increases in clothing & footwear (+12.6%), furnishings, household equipment & routine household maintenance (+2.3%), transport (+1.2%) and health (+1.0%).
These increases were partially offset by a decrease in communications (-0.9%).
