Consumer price index, 15 November 2000

In November the CPI was 106.8 (1998=100) while it was 103.5 in November 1999.

Price change from October to November: Higher electricity tariffs

Higher tariffs on electricity were the main contributors to the increase in the all-item index in November. The tariffs increased by 6.1 per cent. It was the third successive month with increasing tariffs. The increase is higher than the increase in November last year.

Rentals for housing increased by 0.4 per cent. Only rentals paid by tenants increased. After price reductions due to sales in October, the prices of products for maintenance and repair of dwelling rose by 2 per cent in November.

The prices of beverages went up 1 per cent from October to November. It was mainly due to increased prices of coffee and tea. The prices of food increased only slightly last month.

Increased prices of articles of personal care and hairdressing caused the group miscellaneous goods and services to rise by 0.3 per cent.

The prices of audio-visual equipment and especially IT-equipment declined and dampened the price increase in November.

Year-to-year change: Higher rents

Over the last 12 months the CPI has increased by 3.2 per cent. Higher rentals for housing are one of the major contributors to the price growth. Other reasons for the rise in housing expenses are the price increase of energy products. The prices of paraffin and heating oil have risen by 34.5 per cent. The tariffs of electricity and heat energy are more than 4 per cent higher than the prices in November last year. Increased prices of services and products for maintenance and repair of dwelling have also contributed to the increased housing expenses.

Higher transport expenses are another contributor to the year-to-year change in November. The prices of petrol have increased by 13 per cent since November last year, mainly caused by increased prices of crude oil. The prices of services in the transport sector have also risen. Both the prices of airline tickets and prices of passenger transport by road have risen considerably.

The prices of alcoholic beverages and tobacco have increased by 7.2 per cent. This rise is mainly caused by commodity taxes in the beginning of this year. The taxes on tobacco have increased more than the taxes on alcohol, which is reflected in the price increases.

The prices of catering and accommodation services have gone in different directions over the last year. The prices of catering services have increased by 4.2 per cent while the prices of accommodation services have fallen slightly by less than 3 per cent.

Lower prices of clothing, electric articles and telephone equipment and services have dampened the price increase. In particular the prices of IT-equipment have decreased during the last 12 months.