The Department of Statistics and Research announces that the Consumer Price Index for June, 1999 increased by 0,23 units or 0,19 per cent to 123,96 units compared to 123,73 in the previous month. This is mainly due to increases in the prices of fresh fruit, vegetables and meals taken out while a decrease was recorded in the prices of potatoes and household appliances.

2. The average rate of increase of the Index for the last twelve months (i.e. June 1998-May 1999) compared to the preceding twelve months (i.e. June 1997-May 1998) was 1,86%.

3. The average rate of increase of the Index for the period January-May 1999 compared to the corresponding period of the previous year was 1,29% while the Index of May 1999 compared to the Index of May 1998 showed an increase of 1,05%.

Categories of Goods and services

Food, beverages and tobacco

123,91

123,59

123,46

Clothing and footwear

106,32

131,91

137,08

Rents, fuel and power

132,94

133,41

133,71

Furnishings, household equipment and supplies

115,23

117,01

117,43

Medical care

138,14

138,19

138,18

Transport and communication

109,84

109,83

109,96

Recreation, education and cultural services

129,50

129,56

130,03

Miscellaneous goods and services

123,20

123,22

123,23

General Index

120,74

123,16

123,73