14 May 1999
Inquiries: Ms Arja Kinnunen +358 9 1734 3479, Ms
Mari Suviranta +358 9 1734 3501
Harmonised Consumer Price Index of the EU: Ms Mari Suviranta +358 9
1734 3501
Director in charge: Mr Jarmo Hyrkkö
Inflation slightly faster in April
According to Statistics Finland's Consumer Price Index, consumer prices rose by 1.1 per cent in the year to April. Inflation accelerated slightly, since it stood at 0.8 per cent in March. From March to April, prices went up by 0.7 per cent.
Higher price of petrol fuelled inflation
The price of petrol was 5.4 per cent higher in April than a year ago. From March to April, the price of petrol went up by as much as 8.4 per cent. Increases in dwelling prices and rents also boosted inflation. The effect of dwelling prices on inflation amounted to 0.3 percentage points. Inflation was still curbed by lower interest rates and the lower price of coffee.
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Inflation indicators in Finland |
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| Point figure | Change on one year | Change on one month | |
| Consumer Price Index (1995=100), April | 104.4 | 1.1% | 0.7% |
| Cost of Living Index (1951:10=100), April | 1,451 | ||
| Harmonised Consumer Price Index of the EU (1996=100), April | 103.9 | 1.3% | 0.9% |
| Indicator of Underlying Inflation (1995=100), March |
102.6 |
0.8% | 0.3% |
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 are gathered by centralised collection.
Inflation in EMU member countries 1.0 per cent in March
According to the Harmonised Consumer Price Index of the EU, the inflation in the member countries of the EMU was 1.0 per cent in March. The average for the EU Member States was 1.2 per cent. In March, inflation was slowest in Austria, where prices went up by 0.1 per cent. The corresponding Finnish inflation rate was 0.9 per cent. Inflation was fastest in Greece, up by 3.2 per cent.
In April, the Finnish point figure on the Harmonised Consumer Price Index (1996=100) stood at 103.9 and the year-on-year change at 1.3 per cent. From March to April, the index rose by 0.9 per cent. The higher price of petrol accounted for 0.4 percentage points of the increase.
Source: Consumer Price Index 1999, April. Statistics Finland.