Clothing prices were down 15.8% and footwear prices dropped 15.5% over December, for a cumulative monthly effect on the overall inflation rate of -1.1 percentage points. Prices also edged lower in the groups health, transport, and recreation & culture.

Food prices meanwhile rose 1.9% as vegetables were 13.9% more expensive while fruit and meat prices rose 3.3% and 1.2%, respectively. At the annual level, the highest price increases were recorded in the groups alcoholic beverages and tobacco (11.2%) as a result of higher excise duties. Hospitality and restaurant services were up 9.3%.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages rose 5.2%, education by 4.6%, transport by 2% and clothing & footwear by 1.6%. Prices dropped year-on-year in the groups communication (3.6%), household equipment (0.5%), recreation and culture (0.4%) and health (0.1%).

Measured with the harmonised index of consumer prices, an EU benchmark, prices rose 2.8% over the year before.

The Institute of Macroeconomic Analysis and Development, a government think-tank, said inflation would remain subdued in the following months as economic activity remains weak.