Stats: Inflation at 4.3 percent in June, Highest in Past Year and Half

Bratislava, July 15 (TASR) - Inflation in Slovakia reached 4.3 percent in June, the highest figure seen since December 2023, the Statistics Office reported on Tuesday. Consumer prices of goods and services rose by 0.2 percent on a monthly basis. "The overall increase in inflation continued to be driven mainly by higher prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages, while cheaper fuels, motor vehicles or telephone equipment had a damping effect on inflation. Cheaper housing and seasonal food contributed to the deceleration of monthly inflation," said the office. Prices rose across all 12 monitored sectors, with the growth ranging from 2.4 percent in health care to 10 percent in education. Y-o-y inflation continued to be significantly influenced by higher prices in the segment of restaurants and hotels, which increased by 9.5 percent. Consumers paid 10 percent more for catering services and 5 percent more for accommodation services. Prices in the segment of miscellaneous goods and services also posted a significant growth of 6.2 percent. A 4.9-percent growth in the prices of recreation and culture also had a significant impact on the development of overall inflation. A 5.3-percent increase in the prices of alcoholic beverages and tobacco wasn't negligible, either," stated the office. Prices in the second most significant component of household spending, food and non-alcoholic beverages, rose by 4.2 percent in June, the highest figure to be posted this year. Y-o-y price increases were recorded in six out of nine food categories. The y-o-y core inflation amounted to 3.5 percent and net inflation 3.1 percent in June. Monthly core and net inflation stood at 0.2 percent (each). Six months into this year, consumer prices increased by 4 percent y-o-y. ko