Inflation measured according to national methodology dropped to its lowest-ever level of 0.6 percent year-on-year in September 2009, down from 1.3 percent in August, Slovakia's Statistics Office announced on October 12, as reported by the TASR newswire.
Inflation has been slowing since September 2008, when the y-o-y figure reached 5.4 percent. At the same time, core inflation stood at the negative figure of -0.6 percent in September, while net inflation was at 0.5 percent. Both of these figures are record lows.
The most significant y-o-y price increases in September were recorded in alcoholic beverages and tobacco - 8.2 percent, in healthcare - 7.1 percent, in education - 5.4 percent, in housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels - 5.2 percent, in hotels, cafes and restaurants - 2.8 percent, and in postal and telecommunication services and in miscellaneous goods and services - both 1.1 percent.
Conversely, prices fell compared to September 2008 in transport - 6.9 percent, in foodstuffs and non-alcoholic beverages - 5.1 percent, in furniture, household equipment and maintenance - 3.3 percent, in clothing and footwear - 1.5 percent, and in recreation and culture - 1.2 percent. Over the first nine months of 2009, consumer prices in Slovakia rose by 2 percent y-o-y, TASR wrote. TASR
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
