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In December 2020 the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices decreased by 0,8% compared to the index of December 2019 while, when compared to the index of November 2020, the HICP decreased by 0,4%. For the period January – December 2020 the HICP recorded a decrease of 1,1% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. (Table 1)

Note: The HICP in Euro area for the last month is based on EUROSTAT’s estimation (flash estimate).

Compared to December 2019, the categories Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels and Transport had the largest negative changes with percentages of 5,3% and 3,5% respectively, while the category Recreation and Culture (2,6%) had the largest positive change. (Table 1)

Compared to November 2020, the largest negative change was recorded in Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (-2,9%) whereas the largest positive change was noted in Transport (1,5%). (Table 1)

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

As regards the economic origin, the largest change when compared to the index of December 2019 was observed in Energy (-11,8%). When compared to the index of the previous month, the largest change was monitored in Food-Alcoholic Beverages-Tobacco with a percentage of -2,4%. (Table 2)

Note: The weights of the categories are calculated with infinite decimal figures and rounded up to two decimals when published. Figures do not add up to the total due to rounding.

Methodological Notes

Definitions

The Harmonized Price Index (HICP) an economic indicator constructed to measure the changes of prices over time of consumer goods and services acquired, used or paid by households and tourists within the economic territory of the country. The HICP is calculated according to a harmonized approach and methodology laid down by a series of regulations of EU.

The Annual change shows the change of the HICP when compared with the index of the corresponding month of the previous year.

Products/Services

From January 2018 and onwards, the products included in the HICP have been revised. The revision was based on the results of the Household Budget Survey 2015/2016.

Collection

The price collection is carried out only in urban districts of Lefkosia, Larnaka, Lemesos and Pafos. 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: Lefkosia 42%, Lemesos 30%, Larnaka 18% and Pafos 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). The collected prices are those actually paid by consumers for the purchase of specific goods and services, and they include various taxes, such as the Value Added Tax and excise duties. For the calculation of the Index end-of-season sales prices are taken into account as well as special offer prices which are available for the general public and have no restrictions.

Weights

The weight of the HICP goods and services are calculated based on consumption expenditure (of both households and tourists) incurred in the economic territory of the country. Up to 2011, the main source for the consumption expenditures was the Household Budget Survey, while from 2012 and onwards, data from the National Accounts are utilized satisfying relevant Eurostat’s Regulation (No 1114/2010).

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 HICP. 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.

With the publication of February 2019, CYSTAT is publishing HICP special aggregates (economic origin) compiled from more detailed input data.

Exceptional Methodological Adjustment

The implementation of precautionary measures and relevant decrees to address the negative consequences of COVID-19 disease had a direct impact on the price collection process of certain goods/services for the month of December 2020. As the problems anticipated were common to all Member States of the European Union they were tackled by applying the same methodologies under the supervision and guidance of the European Statistical Office (Eurostat).

Missing Prices

In cases where products/goods were not available for consumption, the following practices were followed:

• Missing prices were imputed by the price change of other products or services in the same subcategory,

• In the cases where all the prices were missing for a subcategory, then the previous’ month collected price data were taken as the price of the present month and it included prices that rarely change such as cultural services.

Seasonal Products/Services

The missing airfares were estimated by carrying forward previous’ month prices adjusted with the seasonal factor recorded last year. The missing prices for hotel accommodation were estimated in order to preserve their seasonal pattern.

Weights

The weights of goods and services in the HICP basket have not been adjusted.

Further information:

Statistical Service (CYSTAT) Website, subtheme Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices

Contact

Constandia Papageorgiou: Tel: +35722602116, Email: cpapageorgiou@cystat.mof.gov.cy

Andri Eftychiou: Τel: +35725878595, Email: aeftychiou@cystat.mof.gov.cy

(IK/ECHR)