Inflation “stung” in August this year as well, as it increased 2.7% from 2.5% in July and against an increase of 11.4% that occurred in August last year. As, despite the big price reductions in electricity, natural gas and heating oil, there were significant price increases in the whole other range of products and services (e.g. food items +10.7%).

In particular, in one year revaluations were recorded in: Bread and cereals 6.6%, Meat- general (9.7%), Fish- general (6.7%), Dairy and eggs (11.9%), Oils and fats (12%), Fruit- general (10.7%), Vegetables – general (17.6%), Sugar – chocolates – sweets – ice creams (8.5%), Other foods (12.4%), Coffee – cocoa – tea (8.7% ), Mineral water – soft drinks – fruit juices (14.4%) and Alcoholic drinks – still served (7.4%). Also in: Residential Rentals (6%), Home Repair and Maintenance (5.4%), Utilities (1.4%), Solid Fuels (24.2%), Home Appliances and Repairs (3%), Glassware – tableware and household utensils (8.6%), Household consumer goods (6.7%), Household services (7.2%), Pharmaceutical products (12.4%), Clothing and footwear (6.9 %), Medical products (2.1%), Medical-dental and paramedical services (5.5%), Hospital care (0.9%), New cars (3.7%), Used cars (9%), Automotive Parts and Accessories (8.8%), Maintenance and Repair of Personal Transportation Equipment (5.4%), Air Passenger Transportation (14.1%), Leisure and Cultural Durables (2.2%), Small Leisure Goods – flowers – pets (6.3%), Cinemas – theaters (10.6%), Package holidays (9.2%), Primary education (2.6%), Secondary education (2.7%), Restaurants – pastry shops – cafes – canteens (6.8%), Hotels – motels – inns (7.2%), Hairdressers and personal care shops (4%), ‘Other personal care items (5.1%), Health insurance premiums ( 5.7%) and Vehicle insurance premiums (2.1%).

Conversely, prices fell in: Natural gas (78.8%), Heating oil (20.7%), Electricity (6.5%), Fuels and lubricants (4.2%) and Telephone services (3.4 %).

In a monthly comparison, the continued price increases stand out in: Fresh whole milk (2%), Olive oil (3.8%), Fresh vegetables (3.3%) and Fuels and lubricants (4.6%). On the contrary, prices decreased, among others, in: Eggs (4.5%), Fresh Fruits (7.1%), Electricity (0.7%) and Natural gas (2.9%).

According to ELSTAT, the increase in the general consumer price index in August came mainly from the changes in the following groups of goods and services:

1. From the increases of the indicators by:

*10.7% in the “Food and non-alcoholic beverages” group, due to price increases mainly in: bread and cereals, meats (general), fish (general), dairy and eggs, oils and fats, fruits (general), vegetables (general), sugar- chocolates- sweets- ice creams, other food, coffee- cocoa- tea, mineral water- soft drinks- fruit juices.

*3.2% in the “Alcoholic beverages and tobacco” group, due mainly to an increase in prices of alcoholic beverages (not served).

*6.9% in the “Clothing and footwear” group, due to price increases in clothing and footwear.

*5.6% in the group “Durable goods – Household items and services”, due to an increase in prices mainly in: household appliances and repairs, glassware – tableware and household utensils, household items of immediate consumption, household services.

*5.9% in the “Health” group, mainly due to price increases in: pharmaceutical products, medical products, medical-dental and paramedical services, hospital care.

*1.6% in the “Transportation” group, due to price increases mainly in: new cars, used cars, car parts and accessories, maintenance and repair of personal transport equipment, air passenger tickets. Part of this increase was compensated by the decrease mainly in fuel and lubricant prices.

*3.3% in the “Leisure-Cultural activities” group, due to price increases mainly in: durable leisure and culture goods, small leisure items – flowers – pets, cinemas – theaters, package holidays.

*2.2% in the “Education” group, mainly due to price increases in: primary education fees, secondary education fees.

*6.1% in the “Hotels-Cafes-Restaurants” group, mainly due to an increase in prices in: restaurants-patisseries-cafes-canteens, hotels-motels-inns.

*3.9% in the “Other goods and services” group, mainly due to price increases in: hair salons and personal care stores, other personal care items, health insurance premiums, vehicle insurance premiums.

2. From the reduction of the index by:

*12.6% in the “Housing” group, mainly due to a decrease in prices for: electricity, natural gas, heating oil. Part of this decrease was offset by the increase in prices mainly in: house rents, house repair and maintenance, utility services, LPG, solid fuels.

*3.1% in the “Communications” group, mainly due to a decrease in prices for telephone services.

At the same time, the general index showed no change in August 2023 compared to July 2023, while in the corresponding comparison of the previous year there was a decrease of 0.3%.

As for the harmonized inflation, it increased by 3.5% in August this year, against an increase of 11.2% recorded in August 2022. The harmonized index showed a decrease of 0.2% in August 2023 compared to July 2023, while a decrease also 0.2% was noted during the corresponding comparison of the previous year.