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4.2 Inflation
4.2.1 CPI dynamics
Georgia’s consumer prices rise 2.5% y/y in Georgia in May
Georgia saw annual inflation of 2.5% in May, while the Consumer Price Index (CPI) remained flat month-on-month, national statistics office Geostat said on June 4.
More detailed data show prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages, which have a substantial weight in the consumer basket, fell by 0.7% m/m. Prices of clothing and footwear (down 0.9%) and communication (-0.3%) also fell.
Meanwhile, the index was pushed up in monthly terms by prices in categories including transport (up 1.0%), restaurants and hotels (0.5%), furnishings, household equipment and maintenance (0.4%) and health (0.4%).
Compared to May 2017, food and non-alcoholic beverage prices went up by a modest 1.8%, but were still the strongest contributor to annual inflation. There were also substantial contributions from price rises for alcoholic beverages and tobacco, housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, health and transport.
16 GEORGIA Country Report July 2018 www.intellinews.com