According to November 2005 data, the EMU convergence criterion for inflation was 2.5 percent, which means that in the past month Slovenia managed to fulfil it.
Rise in prices mostly the result of seasonal factors
In December higher prices were registered in the following groups: recreation and culture (by 1.1 percent), food and non-alcoholic beverages (by 0.7 percent), education (by 0.4 percent), housing, water, electricity, gas and other, and miscellaneous goods and services (by 0.1 percent).
In the group recreation and culture the start of the winter season reflected in higher prices of recreational and sport services (by 8.6 percent), gardens, plants and flowers (by 2.8 percent), sports equipment (by 2.2 percent) and package holidays (by 1.1 percent). In the group food and non-alcoholic beverages vegetables were 7.9 percent more expensive while prices of fruit were up by 3.2 percent.
Annual growth of prices lower than in the previous years
In 2005 the inflation in Slovenia reached the European level, since the annual inflation rate was 2.3 percent while the average annual inflation rate was 2.5 percent. Nevertheless, the development of prices in some groups was still relatively strong and above average.
Prices in the following groups increased more than the average: education (by 7.5 percent), housing, water, electricity, gas and other (by 7.1 percent), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (by 4.4 percent), restaurants and hotels (by 3.9 percent), furnishing, household equipment and maintenance, and recreation and culture, and miscellaneous goods and services (by 2.5 percent).
Prices dropped in three groups: clothing and footwear (by 2.2 percent), health (by 1.3 percent) and communication (by 0.5 percent).
In 2005 too prices of services grew faster than prices of goods; however, the difference was much smaller than a year before. Compared to December 2004, in December 2005 services were on average 3 percent more expensive while prices of goods grew by 2 percent.
Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia
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