Year-on-year, prices increased at softer pace for food & non-alcoholic beverages (1.2 percent compared to 2.0 percent in September); furnishings & household equipment (2.8 percent compared to 3.0 percent) and education (2.4 percent compared to 2.5 percent); and fell further for communication (-2.7 percent compared to -2.6 percent) and recreation & culture (-1.0 percent compared to -0.2 percent).
On the other hand, cost advanced faster for transport (3 percent compared to 2.8 percent); housing & utilities (14.1 percent compared to 13.1 percent); clothing & footwear (3.4 percent compared to 3.2 percent) and miscellaneous goods & services (1.6 percent compared to 1.3 percent). Additionally, inflation was steady at 1.9 percent for both restaurants & hotels and alcoholic beverages & tobacco.
On a monthly basis, consumer prices edged down 0.3 percent, following a 0.1 percent gain in the prior month. Prices declined further for food & non-alcoholic beverages (-1.0 percent compared to -0.6 percent in September); and dropped for communication (-0.1 percent compared to 0.1 percent) and recreation & culture (-0.5 percent compared to 0.2 percent).
Annual core inflation, which excludes food and energy, rose slightly to 2.3 percent from 2.2 percent in September.