The consumer price index (CPI) in September 2016 compared to August 2016 was 99.5%, i.e. the monthly inflation was -0.5%. This is evident by the latest data of the National Statistical Institute (NSI), released on 12 October. The inflation rate since the beginning of the year (September 2016 compared to December 2015) has been -0.7% and the annual inflation in September 2016 compared to September 2015 was -0.6%.

The annual average inflation, measured by CPI, in the last 12 months (October 2015 – September 2016) compared to the previous 12 months (October 2014 - September 2015) was -0.8%.

In September 2016 compared to the previous month the prices of goods and services in the main consumer groups changed as follows:

• Food and non-alcoholic beverages - the prices remained at the level of the previous month;

• Alcoholic beverages and tobacco - an increase of 0.3%;

• Clothing and footwear - a decrease of 0.3%;

• Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels - an increase of 0.2%;

• Furnishings, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house - a decrease of 0.5%;

• Healthcare - the prices remained at the level of the previous month;

• Transport - a decrease of 0.3%;

• Communications - the prices remained at the level of the previous month;

• Recreation and culture - a decrease of 6.8%;

• Education - an increase of 1.4%;

• Restaurants and hotels - a decrease of 1.4%;

• Miscellaneous goods and service - a decrease of 0.1%.