Albania’s consumer prices increased by 1.7% y/y in January 2014, slowing down from 1.9% y/y in December 2013, the statistics institute, INSTAT, informed. The annual growth was lower than the 2.7% y/y rate recorded in January 2013. In monthly terms, consumer prices picked up by 0.8% in January, easing from a 1.7% m/m rise in the previous month.
The overall trend was again determined by food prices, which grew 2.7% y/y, decelerating from a 3.5% hike in December 2013. The growth was mainly supported by a 17.5% y/y increase in fruit prices and a 12.7% rise in vegetable prices. At the same time, prices of all other food items declined in January.
Prices of alcoholic beverages and tobacco increased by 7.3% y/y in January, faster than December's rise of 4.2% y/y. Regulated prices registered a 2% y/y increase.
Transport charges edged up by 0.6% y/y, ending a four-month declining streak.
By contrast, lower prices of clothing and footwear (down 2.7% y/y) continued to exert a downward pressure on the reading. Communications costs fell by 2.8% y/y. Among others, costs of furniture household declined by 0.7% y/y.
The average inflation rate was equal to 1.9% in 2013, slightly down from 2% in 2012.
Consumer prices, % y/y | ||||||
Jan-13 | Sep-13 | Oct-13 | Nov-13 | Dec-13 | Jan-14 | |
TOTAL | 2.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 1.7 |
Food and Drink | 4.4 | 3.9 | 3.5 | 2.1 | 3.5 | 2.7 |
Alcohol and Tobacco | 3.8 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 3.2 | 4.2 | 7.3 |
Clothing and Footwear | -3.1 | -3.7 | -3.8 | -3.7 | -3.4 | -2.7 |
Rent and Utilities | 0.3 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 2.3 | 2.0 |
Furniture and Maintenance | 1.3 | 0.2 | -0.1 | -0.1 | -0.5 | -0.7 |
Healthcare | 1.4 | -1.4 | -1.5 | -1.6 | -1.5 | -1.3 |
Transportation | 1.5 | -0.9 | -1.0 | -1.0 | -1.2 | 0.6 |
Communication | 1.3 | 1.3 | -1.4 | -1.4 | -2.9 | -2.8 |
Recreation and Culture | 1.7 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.1 | -0.2 | -0.2 |
Education | 1.8 | 2.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.3 |
Hotels and Restaurants | 1.9 | 3.1 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 1.9 | 1.8 |
Others | 7.5 | -3.0 | 1.8 | -1.2 | 3.3 | 1.6 |
Source: INSTAT |
The European Investment Fund (EIF), part of the EIB Group, said on April 15 that it has signed guarantee agreements with 11 banks and financial intermediaries in the Western Balkans. These ... more
EIB Global, the financial arm of the European Investment Bank (EIB) for activities beyond the EU, set a new record by investing €1.2bn in the Western Balkans in 2023, the EIB said on February 9. ... ... more
Albanian banks reported profits of ALL28.5bn (€271.7bn) in 2023, according to data from the Albanian Association of Banks. All banks in the country reported a profit for the year. The most ... more