According to the report from the National Statistical Service of Greece (ELSTAT), in December the consumer price index rose by 5.1% after an increase of 4.8% in November. Economists had expected a more significant increase - by 5.4%. On a monthly basis, consumer price growth accelerated to 0.7% compared with 0.5% in November.
The data also showed that the average CPI for the twelve-month period from January 2021 to December 2021, compared with the corresponding index for the period January 2020 to December 2020 increased by 1.2%.
ELSTAT said that the CPI growth relative to November was associated with an increase in prices for clothing and shoes (+10.3%), housing costs (+0.8%), prices for household appliances (+0.2%). Transport prices also increased (+0.3%) against the background of an increase in the cost of new and used cars. This increase was partially offset by lower prices for gasoline and air passenger tickets.
Meanwhile, a decrease in prices was recorded for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products (-0.5%), as well as other goods and services (-0.2%).