Over the year, the average level of consumer prices rose by 3.3 %

The latest data of the Central Statistical Bureau show that in December 2024, compared to December 2023, the average level of consumer prices* increased by 3.3 %.

Compared to December 2023, in December 2024 the average level of consumer prices was mainly influenced by the rise in prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages (1.4 percentage points), alcoholic beverages and tobacco products (0.5 percentage points), health care (0.4 percentage points), goods and services related to recreation and culture (0.4 percentage points), as well as drop in prices of goods and services related to housing (0.2 percentage points).

Over the year, prices within the group of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 5.5 %. Price rise of coffee (11.9 %) and butter (34.9 %) had the strongest upward influence on the average price level within the group. Upturn was recorded in prices of milk products (10.8 %), chocolate (20.6 %), milk (13.1 %) and poultry (8.9 %). Prices increased for cheese and curd (5.6 %), fresh vegetables (5.4 %), olive oil (20.3 %), bakery products (3.4 %), potatoes (12.7 %), fruit and vegetable juices (10.1 %). Over the year, prices of dried, salted or smoked meat (1.9 %), yoghurt (7.2 %), preserved or processed fish and seafood-based preparations (9.2 %), soft drinks (10.9 %), as well as bread (1.3 %) also went up. In turn, fall was registered in prices of sugar (26.1 %), flours and other cereals (6.0 %), fresh or chilled fish (8.5 %).

The average level of alcoholic beverage and tobacco product prices rose by 6.6 %. Over the year average increase of 13.0 % was observed in prices of tobacco products. As prices of spirits, wine and beer went up, prices of alcoholic beverages increased by 3.2 %.

Average price level of goods and services related to housing fell by 1.2 %. Over the year, the most significant drop in the prices was for heat energy (9.5 %). Electricity (2.6 %) and solid fuels (3.8 %) also became cheaper. In turn, maintenance charges in multi-occupied buildings (7.1 %), refuse collection (16.4 %), rentals for housing (6.3 %), services for the maintenance and repair of the dwelling (7.3 %), water supply (5.5 %), sewage collection (4.5 %) became more expensive.

The average level of health care prices grew by 6.6 %. Over the year, prices of pharmaceutical products, dental services, prices in medical specialist practice, services of medical analysis laboratories and x-ray centres went up.

Within the communication group prices on average rose by 5.2 %. Prices of bundled telecommunication services, wireless telephone services, as well as internet access services increased.

Prices of goods and services related to recreation and culture rose by 6.3 %, as prices of flowers, newspapers and magazines, package holidays, recreational and sporting services, television subscription fee, pet food went up. Prices of personal computers fell.

The average level of restaurant and hotel service prices increased by 4.5 %. Upturn was observed in prices of catering services, of which prices of restaurant and café services rose by 4.0 %, of canteen services by 3.9 % and of fast food services by 2.2 %. Over the year, prices of hotel services also went up.

Within the miscellaneous goods and services group, prices increased by 3.1 %, which was mainly affected by the rise in prices of articles for personal hygiene and beauty products. Hairdressing salons and personal grooming establishment services, legal services and accountancy, retirement home fee for elderly persons were more expensive as well. In turn, motor vehicle insurance was cheaper.

Among other commodity groups, the most notable rise in prices was registered for maintenance and repair of personal transport equipment, passenger transport by road, higher education. Prices reduced for passenger transport by air. Fuels for transport were 0.8 % cheaper.

Over the month, the average level of consumer prices rose by 0.2 %.

Compared to November 2024, in December 2024 the average level of consumer prices increased by 0.2 %. Rise in prices of goods and services related to transport (0.3 percentage points), food and non-alcoholic beverages (0.3 percentage points), as well as drop in prices within miscellaneous goods and services group (0.2 percentage points), clothing and footwear (0.1 percentage point), furnishings (0.1 percentage point), goods and services related to housing (0.1 percentage point) contributed the most to the price level changes.

Over the month, prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages grew by 1.1 %. Price rise for coffee (10.5 %) had the strongest upward influence on the average price level. Mainly affected by the end of sales campaigns, prices of bread (1.5 %), cheese and curd (2.0 %), soft drinks (8.6 %), vegetable oil (6.6 %), ice cream (2.8 %), chocolate (1.8 %) and pork (0.9 %) went up. Increase was also observed in prices of butter (6.0 %), fresh fruit (1.8 %), milk (2.5 %), eggs (2.5 %). In turn, price drop was registered for fresh vegetables (3.1 %). Mainly due to the discounts prices of dried, salted or smoked meat (1.2 %), poultry (1.2 %) and sour cream (2.1 %) went down.

Prices within clothing and footwear group fell by 2.4 %. The average price level of garments dropped by 2.1 % and of footwear by 3.8 %, which was mainly affected by the sales.

Average price level of goods and services related to housing fell by 0.3 %. During the month the most significant price drop within the group was registered for electricity (1.3 %) and heat energy (0.5 %). Also rentals for housing, as well as solid fuels became cheaper. In turn, prices rose for sewage collection and water supply.

Within the furnishings group prices reduced by 2.8 %. Due to the discounts, decrease was recorded in prices of household cleaning and maintenance products, household furniture and dishes.

Prices of goods and services related to transport increased by 2.5 %, which was affected by the rise in prices of fuels for transport by 2.9 %, as prices of diesel went up by 3.2 %, of petrol by 2.4 % and of auto gas by 2.8 %. Prices of passenger transport by air, passenger transport by road became more expensive.

Within the miscellaneous goods and services group prices decreased by 3.2 %. Prices of articles for personal hygiene and beauty products, non-electrical appliances for personal care went down, which was affected by the discounts.

Among other commodity groups, the most notable rise was registered in prices of hotel services, medical specialist practice, beer, restaurant and café services. In turn, prices of spirits, package holidays, mobile telephone equipment went down.

Price changes by commodity group

(as per cent)

Average consumer price changes in 12 months of 2024, compared to the 12 months of 2023 (annual average inflation), are 1.3 %.

Compared to 2015, in December 2024 consumer prices were 46.7 % higher. Prices of goods increased by 45.4 % and prices of services by 48.3 %.

Information on consumer price changes in January 2025 will be published on 10 February.

More information on consumer price changes is available in the official statistics portal section Consumer prices.

*The annual inflation reflects consumer price changes, comparing the average price level in the comparison month with the average price level in the corresponding month of the previous year.