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Annual Rate of Change 2,1%

The HICP rose by 2,1% between February 2023 and February 2024, and increased by 0,8% in the month between January 2024 and February 2024. For the period January – February 2024, the HICP rose by 2,1% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. (Table 1)

Compared to February 2023, the largest positive change was noted in Restaurants and Hotels (6,1%). (Table 1)

Compared to January 2024, the largest change was recorded in category Clothing and Footwear (3,4%). (Table 1)

For the period January – February 2024, compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, the largest changes were noted in Restaurants and Hotels (5,9%) Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (3,1%)and Miscellaneous Goods and Services (3,0%). (Table 1)

As regards the economic origin, the largest change when compared to the index of February 2023 was recorded in Services (4,2%). When compared to the index of the previous month, the largest change was monitored in category Food, Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (2,2%). (Table 2)

Methodological Notes

Definitions

The Harmonised Price Index (HICP) is 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 harmonised 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. More details are available on CYSTAT website in the Methodology section, in the statistical sub-category Economy / Price Indices / Harmonized Consumer Price Index.

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 is 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 1148/2020).

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.

Since February 2019, CYSTAT publishes HICP special aggregates (economic origin) compiled from more detailed input data.

For more information visit the CYSTAT Portal, subtheme Price Indices, CYSTAT-DB (Online Database), Predefined Tables (Excel), Methodological Information or contact Ms Constandia Papageorgiou at 22602116 or via e-mail: cpapageorgiou@cystat.mof.gov.cy.

The data included in the Predefined Tables in Excel format are available up to December 2021. Data from January 2022 onwards are available only in the CYSTAT-DB Online Database.

(GS/AP)