Transportation costs were up 16.3 percent in the period, the steepest increase among all services calculated by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Prices of water, electricity, gas, and fuels rose 14.3 percent.

In the 12 month period, most of the indices included in the CPI inched up, excluding the telecommunications index and the index for clothing and footwear prices which recorded a drop.

Education prices rose 9.6 percent, housing prices rose six percent, prices of alcoholic beverages and tobacco increased nearly eight percent. Communication costs dropped 13.1 percent, while prices clothing and footwear dropped 6.8 percent. Prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages remained unchanged. 

The index released by the CAS on monthly basis calculates the changes in prices of products and services, including food, beverages, and telecommunication and transportation services.