Inflation 0.4 per cent in December

According to Statistics Finland, the year-on-year change in consumer prices, i.e. inflation, was 0.4 per cent last December. In November, it stood at 0.5 per cent. Last year's average rate of inflation was 0.2 per cent.

Consumer prices were put up most in the year by higher prices on liquid fuels. Risen charges for cultural and leisure services, rent increases and higher prices of dwellings also had an impact on inflation. The rise in consumer prices was curbed most by the cut in alcohol tax in last year's March. Lower telephone charges also held back inflation.

From November to December, consumer prices remained unchanged, on the average.

Each mid-month, Statistics Finland interviewers collect around 50,000 prices on 492 commodities from approximately 3,000 outlets for the Consumer Price Index. In addition, some 1,000 items of price data are gathered by centralised collection.

Year-on-year change in consumer prices 1/2001 - 12/2004

Index point figures are available here (only in Finnish): Consumer Price Index 2000=100

Source: Consumer Price Index 2004, December. Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Mr Timo Koskimäki +358 9 1734 3479, Mr Juhani Pekkarinen +358 9 1734 3476, Ms Mari Ylä-Jarkko +358 9 1734 3310, khi.tilastokeskus@stat.fi