A marginal slowdown was recorded in September this year in its rate of rise inflationas it increased 2.9% from 3% in August and compared to an increase of 1.6% in September 2023.

There were significant price increases in one year in energy (natural gas +20.2% and electricity +11.3%), while those also stand out in house rents (5.4%), holiday packages (7.3%) and clothing footwear (4.4%). In food products, the “champion” continues to be olive oil (38.9%). At the same time, between September and August, the new main price increases were noted in poultry (2.5%), fresh fruit (9.1%), fresh vegetables (7.3%), potatoes (4.2%), natural gas ( 7.4%), rent (1.4%) and electricity (1%).

In particular, between September 2024 and September 2023 there were price increases in: Bread (1.2%), Meats – in general (2%), Fresh fish (9.9%), Olive oil (38.9%), Fruits – in general (7 .7%), Preserved or processed vegetables (2.1%), Sugar – chocolates – sweets – ice creams (5.6%), Mineral water – soft drinks – fruit juices (6.5%) and Alcoholic drinks – not served ( 3.4%).

Also in: Clothing and Footwear (4.4%), House Rentals (5.4%), Home Repair and Maintenance (4.1%), Electricity (11.3%), Natural Gas (20.2%) , Heating oil (6.3%), Furniture and decorative items (3.6%), Household services (4.4%), Pharmaceutical products (4.9%), Medical products (3.7%), Medical- dental and paramedical services (1.8%), Hospital care (4%), New automobiles (2.1%), Auto parts and accessories (2.9%), Maintenance and repair of personal transportation equipment (3.7%) .

Other services related to personal transportation (0.9%), Air passenger transportation (36.4%), Telephone services (0.7%), Information processing equipment (5.2%), Small recreational goods – flowers – Pets (2.2%), Entertainment and cultural services (2.1%), Newspapers – books and stationery (3.1%), Package holidays (7.3%), Preschool and primary education (3%) , Secondary education (3.7%), Higher education (5.4%), Restaurants-patisseries-cafes-canteens (5.7%), Hairdressers and personal care shops (5%), ‘Other personal items (8, 1%), Health Insurance Premiums (14%) and Vehicle Insurance Premiums (5.6%).

Conversely, prices fell in: Pizzas and pies (9.1%), Pasta (5.9%), Cheeses (1.4%), Solid fuels (2.7%), Household items for immediate consumption (5.5 %), Used Cars (3.4%), Fuels and Lubricants (12.6%), Audio and Video Processing Equipment (9.4%), Leisure and Cultural Durables (2.4%) and Other Personal care (0.6%).

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

1. From the increases of the indicators by:

  • 3.2% in the “Food and non-alcoholic beverages” group, due to price increases mainly in: bread, meats (general), fresh fish, olive oil, fruit (general), preserved or processed vegetables, sugar-chocolates-sweets-ice cream , mineral water – soft drinks – fruit juices. Part of this increase was compensated by the reduction of prices mainly in: pizzas and pies, pasta, cheeses.
  • 1.7% in the group “Alcoholic beverages and tobacco”, due mainly to an increase in prices of alcoholic beverages (not served).
  • 4.4% in the “Clothing and footwear” group, due to price increases in clothing and footwear.
  • 5.9% in the “Housing” group, due to price increases mainly in: house rents, house repair and maintenance, electricity, natural gas, heating oil. Part of this increase was offset by the decrease mainly in solid fuel prices.
  • 3.7% in the “Health” group, due to price increases mainly in: pharmaceutical products, medical products, medical, dental and paramedical services, hospital care.
  • 0.6% in the “Communications” group, mainly due to an increase in the prices of telephone services.
  • 1.2% in the “Recreation-Cultural activities” group, due to price increases mainly in: information processing equipment, small leisure items – flowers – pets, entertainment and cultural services, newspapers – books and stationery, package holidays. Part of this increase was offset by a decrease in prices mainly in audio and video processing equipment, leisure and cultural durables.
  • 3.5% in the “Education” group, mainly due to price increases in: pre-school and primary education fees, secondary education fees, tertiary education fees.
  • 5.5% in the “Hotels-Cafes-Restaurants” group, mainly due to an increase in prices in restaurants-confectioneries-cafes-canteens.
  • 3.6% in the “Other goods and services” group, mainly due to price increases in: hair salons and personal care stores, other personal items, health insurance premiums, vehicle insurance premiums. Part of this increase was offset by the decrease in prices mainly in other types of personal care.

2. From the reductions of the indicators by:

  • 0.6% in the group “Durable goods – Household items and services”, due to a decrease in prices mainly in items of immediate household consumption. Part of this decrease was offset by the increase in prices mainly in: furniture and decorative items, household services.
  • 1.1% in the “Transportation” group, mainly due to a decrease in prices in: used cars, fuel and lubricants. Part of this decrease was offset by price increases mainly in: new cars, auto parts and accessories, maintenance and repair of personal transportation equipment, other services related to personal transportation, air passenger tickets.

At the same time, the general index showed an increase of 1.8% in September 2024 compared to August 2024, against an increase of 1.8% also recorded during the corresponding comparison of the previous year.

As regards the harmonized inflation, it showed an increase of 3.1% in September 2024 compared to the corresponding index of September 2023, against an increase of 2.4% that occurred during the corresponding comparison in 2023 with 2022. While, in a monthly comparison, it showed an increase of 1.8%, compared to an increase of 1.9% recorded in the corresponding comparison of the previous year.