14 May 2002
Inquiries: Mr Timo Koskimäki +358 9 1734 3479, Ms
Tina Telasuo +358 9 1734 2951, Mr Juhani Pekkarinen +358 9 1734
3476
Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices: Ms Mari Ylä-Jarkko +358 9 1734
3310
Director in charge: Mr Kari Molnar
Inflation still 1.8 per cent in April
According to Statistics Finland, the year-on-year change in consumer prices, i.e. inflation, was in April the same as in two previous months, i.e. 1.8 per cent.
Risen food prices from the year before, especially of fruit, vegetables, meat and milk, continued to put consumer prices up by most, or 0.7 percentage points. Rent increases, higher prices of health care and risen prices of transport, of cultural and leisure services and of alcoholic beverages each accounted for 0.2 percentage points of inflation. The fall in interest rates lowered inflation by 0.7 percentage points. Lower prices of liquid fuels from last year's April decreased inflation by only 0.1 percentage points.
From March to April, consumer prices rose by 0.4 per cent, which was mostly due to higher prices of liquid fuels. Prices of clothing and footwear also went up. The monthly rise of consumer prices was curbed in April by the large reduction in prices of vegetables.
Inflation indicators in Finland, April 2002
>
|
Point figure |
Change on one year |
Change on one month |
|
|
Consumer Price Index (2000=100) |
104.3 |
1.8% |
0.4% |
|
Cost of Living Index (1951:10=100) |
1,565 |
||
|
Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (1996=100) |
112.3 |
2.6% |
0.4% |
Each mid-month, Statistics Finland interviewers collect over 65,000 prices on 492 commodities from approximately 3,500 outlets for the Consumer Price Index. In addition, some 1,000 items of price data are gathered by centralised collection.
According to preliminary data, inflation in EMU countries 2.2 per cent in April
According to preliminary data on the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices, the rate of inflation in the member states of the EMU was 2.2 per cent in April. The corresponding figure for Finland was 2.6 per cent.
Eurostat's estimate on inflation in the EMU area is based on preliminary data published by certain member states and on the price development of energy. Eurostat will publish detailed data on the Harmonised Indices of Consumer Prices for April on 16 May.
Source: Consumer Price Index 2002, April. Statistics Finland