15 May, 1998
Inquiries: Ms Arja Kinnunen + 358 9 1734 3479, Mr
Juhani Pekkarinen + 358 9 1734 3476
Harmonised Consumer Price Index of the EU: Ms Mari Ylä-Jarkko +358
9 1734 3310
Statistical Director in charge: Mr Jarmo Hyrkkö
Inflation remained unchanged in April
According to Statistics Finland's Consumer Price Index, consumer prices rose by 1.8 per cent in the year to April. Inflation was the same in March. In the March to April period, prices went up by 0.5 per cent.
Higher housing and food prices pushed price level up most over the year
Prices of housing, heat and light went up by 2.0 per cent in the year to April, pushing the price level up by almost 0.5 percentage points. The increase was primarily due to higher dwelling prices and higher rents. The prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages rose by 2.5 per cent, which was mainly due to higher coffee and fruit prices, which pushed inflation up by 0.4 percentage points.
Higher prices of public transport and used cars pushed the prices of transportation up by 1.8 per cent, on average. Inflation was also pushed up by increases in restaurant and cafe prices and in the prices of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, package tours, and health and medical care. Inflation was curbed most by the fall in the interest rates of housing loans.
In the March to April period, consumer prices went up by 0.5 per cent. This was mainly due to higher clothing prices as seasonal goods went on sale and reduced price sales ended. Higher prices of dwellings and package tours also pushed the price level up in April. Consumer price increases were curbed most by lower cucumber and petrol prices and the fall in the interest rates of housing loans.
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| Inflation indicators in Finland | |||
| Point figure | Change on one year | Change on one month | |
| Consumer Price Index (1995=100), April | 103.3 | 1.8% | 0.5% |
| Cost of Living Index (1951:10=100), April | 1 436 | ||
| Harmonised Consumer Price Index of the EU (1996=100), April | 102.6 | 1.7% | 0.5% |
| Indicator of Underlying Inflation (1995=100), March | 101.8 | 1.2% | 0.2% |
Each mid-month, Statistics Finland interviewers collect over 50 000 prices from approximately 2 000 outlets for the Consumer Price Index. In addition, some 600 items of price data are gathered by centralised collection.
Harmonised Consumer Price Index of the EU: slowest inflation in Germany in March
According to the Harmonised Consumer Price Index of the EU, the lowest inflation rate, 0.6 per cent, was recorded in Germany in March. The corresponding figure for Finland was 1.6 per cent, and the EU average 1.3 per cent. The average inflation in the present EMU member countries was 1.2 per cent in March. In April, the Finnish point figure on the Harmonised Consumer Price Index (1996=100) was 102.6, with the year-on-year change at 1.7 per cent. From March to April the index rose by 0.5 per cent.
Source: Consumer Price Index 1998, April. Statistics Finland.