Inflation accelerated to 1.2 per cent in April

According to Statistics Finland, the year-on-year change in consumer prices, i.e. inflation, was 1.2 per cent in April. In March it was 1.0 per cent. The biggest reason for the slight acceleration of inflation was increased price of petrol.

Consumer prices were put up most in the year by higher prices of liquid fuels and rent increases. Risen prices of meal services and dwellings also had an impact on inflation. The rise in consumer prices was curbed most by lower telephone charges. Prices of entertainment electronics, home computers and used cars also went down and interest rates fell from the previous year.

From March to April, consumer prices rose by 0.3 per cent. The rise was mainly due to higher prices of petrol.

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 - 4/2005

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

Source: Consumer Price Index 2005, April. Statistics Finland

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