Press Releases

In March 2020, the Consumer Price Index increased by 0,11 units and reached 101,34 units compared to 101,23 units in February 2020. Compared to March 2019, the CPI increased by 0,7%. (Table 1)

For the period January-March 2020, the CPI increased by 1,1% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

As regards the economic origin, the largest change when compared to the index of March 2019 was recorded in Electricity (9,2%), while comparing to the index of the previous month the largest change was monitored in Agricultural Goods (-5,8%). (Table 2)

Analysis of percentage changes

Compared to March 2019, the categories Communication and Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels recorded the largest changes with percentages of 4,1% and 3,7% respectively. (Table 1)

In comparison to the CPI of the previous month, the largest change was noted in Clothing and Footwear (11%). (Table 1)

For the period January – March 2020, compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, the largest changes were recorded in Communication (3,8%), Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels (2,8%) and Transport (2,5%).  (Table 1)

Analysis of effects in units

Compared to the Index of March 2019, the category Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels had the largest effect on the change of the CPI (0,45). (Table 3)

The category Clothing and Footwear had the largest positive effect on the change of the CPI compared to the previous month (0,71). (Table 3)

Electricity had the most notable effect on the change of the CPI of March 2020 compared to March 2019 (0,33). (Table 4)

Finally, clothing had the largest positive effect of 0,49 units on the change of the CPI of March 2020 compared to the previous month, whereas fresh vegetables and petroleum products had the largest negative effect of 0,59 and 0,36 units respectively. (Table 5)

METHODOLOGICAL NOTES

Definitions

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is compiled to measure the changes of prices over time of consumer goods and services acquired, used or paid by households. Specifically, the national CPI of Cyprus covers the consumption expenses of specific goods and services (shopping basket of goods and services), of the resident households and of the households that intend to live in Cyprus for at least one year. CPI is the official index for the estimation of inflation.

The Inflation shows the change of the CPI when compared with the index of the corresponding month of the previous year.

The Effect represents the amount of the overall change in the General Index which is accounted for by any given category.

Collection

The price collection is carried out only in urban districts of Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos. For each city, the fluctuations in the product prices each month, are weighted according to their population. Specifically, the weights for the four districts are: Nicosia 42%, Limassol 30%, Larnaca 18% and Paphos 10%.

The prices of 805 goods and services are recorded once every month, except for some seasonal products (e.g. vegetables and fruits), meat and fuels, whose prices are collected every week (every Thursday).

Base year

The index reference period was 2005=100 for the period between January 2006 and December 2015. From January 2016 and onwards, the base year is 2015=100.

Classification                                                                                                                 

Until December 2015, COICOP 4 classification was used for the calculation and the dissemination of the CPI. From January 2016 and onwards, CYSTAT is adopting the ECOICOP classification satisfying relevant Eurostat’s Regulation. In other words, the lowest level of detail for the classification used in CPI is COICOP 5-digits.

Products/Services and weights

From January 2018 and onwards, the products included in the CPI as well as their corresponding weights have been revised. The revision was based on the results of the Household Budget Survey 2015/2016.

For further information visit Statistical Service (CYSTAT) website, subtheme Consumer Price Index or contact Ms Constandia Papageorgiou: tel: +35722602116, email: cpapageorgiou@cystat.mof.gov.cy or Ms Andri Eftychiou: tel: +35725878595, email: aeftychiou@cystat.mof.gov.cy

(SCH/IK)