site.btaConsumer Prices and Inflation in January 2024: Early Estimates

Monthly inflation in Bulgaria in January 2024 against December 2023 was 0.5%, measured by the consumer price index (CPI), and annual inflation in January 2024 against January 2023 stood at 3.8%, the National Statistical Institute reported on Thursday, unveiling early estimates. Average annual inflation in the period February 2023 - January 2024 against February 2022 - January 2023 was 8.4%.

In January 2024 compared with December 2023 prices grew most notably for housing, water, electricity and gas (+2.2%), followed by food and non-alcoholic beverages (+1.0%), education (+0.8%), and health (+0.6%). A price fall was reported for apparel and footwear (-3.5%) and transport (-1.7%).

Measured by the harmonized index of consumer prices (HICP), monthly inflation in in Bulgaria in January 2024 against December 2023 was 0.2%, and annual inflation in January 2024 against January 2023 stood at 4.0%. Average annual inflation in the period February 2023 - January 2024 compared with February 2022 - January 2023 was 7.8%, early estimates show.

The small basket price index in January 2024 rose by 1.3% month on month. The prices of services increased by 3.7%, food products 1.1%, and non-food products 0.1%.