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For more information on this release:
E-mail: cpi@cso.ie Colin Cotter (+353) 21 453 5770 Maeve Ahern (+353) 21 453 5924 Ann Ross (+353) 21 453 5427
For general information on CSO statistics:
information@cso.ie (+353) 21 453 5000 On-line ISSN 2009-5767
CSO statistical release, , 11am

Consumer Price Index

February 2020

CPI and HICP
 CPI HICP
 % monthly change % annual change % monthly change % annual change
Oct 2019-0.3 0.7 -0.2 0.6
Nov 2019-0.1 1.1 -0.2 0.8
Dec 20190.2 1.3 0.2 1.1
Jan 2020-0.7 1.3 -0.7 1.1
Feb 20200.6 1.1 0.6 0.9

Prices rise by 1.1% in the year to February 2020

Figure 1: CPI/HICP - ALL ITEMS Annual Percentage Change
go to full release

Prices on average, as measured by the CPI, were 1.1% higher in February compared with February 2019.

The most notable changes in the year were increases in Education (+4.1%), Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+3.1%), Transport (+3.0%) and Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (+2.9%).  There were decreases in Communications (-9.5%), Furnishings, Household Equipment & Routine Household Maintenance (-2.5%), Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (-1.0%) and Clothing & Footwear (-1.0%). 

Consumer Prices in February, as measured by the CPI, increased by 0.6% in the month.  During February of last year, prices rose by 0.8% in the month.  The most significant monthly price changes were increases in Clothing & Footwear (+4.2%), Transport (+1.6%) and Health (+1.1%).  There were decreases in Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (-1.3%), Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (-0.4%) and Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (-0.1%). 

Contributions to the overall CPI – annual change 

Table 17 shows the contribution of each 2-digit COICOP1 division to the overall change in the CPI.  A detailed breakdown of the individual components of each of the 12 COICOP divisions is presented in Tables 4 to 15. 

The divisions which caused the largest upward contribution to the CPI in the year were Transport (+0.42%), Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (+0.41%), Restaurants & Hotels (+0.25%) and Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+0.16%). 

The divisions which caused the largest downward contribution to the CPI in the year were Communications (-0.28%), Furnishings, Household Equipment & Routine Household Maintenance (-0.12%), Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (-0.11%) and Clothing & Footwear (-0.04%). 

The main factors contributing to the annual change were as follows:

  • Transport rose primarily due to higher prices for petrol and diesel, an increase in the price of motor cars and a rise in air fares.
  • Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels increased mainly due to higher rents and mortgage interest repayments in addition to an increase in the cost of electricity.  This increase was partially offset by a fall in the price of home heating oil.
  • Restaurants & Hotels rose primarily due to higher prices for alcoholic drinks and food consumed in licensed premises, restaurants, cafes etc. and an increase in the cost of hotel accommodation.
  • Miscellaneous Goods & Services increased mainly due to higher health insurance premiums and an increase in the cost of childcare services.  This increase was partially offset by lower motor insurance premiums.
  • Communications fell due to a reduction in the cost of telephone & telefax equipment and telephone & telefax services.
  • Furnishings, Household Equipment & Routine Household Maintenance decreased primarily due to the reduced cost of furniture & furnishings, non-durable household goods and household textiles.  This decrease was partially offset by an increase in the cost of domestic & household services.
  • Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages fell due to lower prices across a range of products such as vegetables, sugar, jam, honey, chocolate & confectionery and milk, cheese & eggs.
  • Clothing & Footwear decreased due to sales.

Contributions to the overall CPI – monthly change 

The divisions which caused the largest upward contribution to the CPI in the month were Transport (+0.21%) and Clothing & Footwear (+0.18%).  The divisions which caused the largest downward contribution in the month were Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (-0.06%) and Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (-0.05%). 

The main factors contributing to the monthly change were as follows:

  • Transport rose primarily due to an increase in air fares and the cost of motor cars.  This increase was partially offset by lower prices for diesel and petrol.
  • Clothing & Footwear increased due to a recovery from sales.
  • Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco decreased due to lower prices for alcoholic beverages sold in supermarkets and off licences.
  • Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels fell mainly due to a decrease in the price of home heating oil, which was partially offset by higher rents.

CPI sub-indices

The sub index for Services rose by 2.2% in the year to February, while Goods decreased by 0.4%.  Services, excluding mortgage interest repayments, increased by 2.2% in the year since February 2019.

The CPI excluding tobacco increased by 0.7% in the month of February and rose by 1.0% in the year.  The CPI excluding mortgage interest increased by 0.6% in the month and rose by 1.1% in the year.

Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices

Prices on average, as measured by the EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), increased by 0.9% compared with February 2019.

The most notable changes in the year were increases in Education (+4.1%), Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+3.2%), Transport (+3.1%) and Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (+2.8%).  There were decreases in Communications (-9.5%), Furnishings, Household Equipment & Routine Household Maintenance (-2.5%), Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (-1.0%) and Clothing & Footwear (-1.0%)

The HICP increased by 0.6% in the month.  This compares to an increase of 0.8% recorded in February of last year.

The most significant monthly price changes were increases in Clothing & Footwear (+4.2%) and Transport (+1.6%).  There were decreases in Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (-1.2%) and Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (-0.4%).

1 Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose Adapted to the Needs of Harmonised Indices of Consumer Prices (2000).

Contributions to changeannual % change
Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages-1
Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco3.1
Clothing & Footwear-1
Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas, etc.2.9
Furnishings, Household Equipment, etc.-2.5
Health1.7
Transport3
Communications-9.5
Recreation & Culture1.9
Education4.1
Restaurants & Hotels1.3
Miscellaneous Goods & Services1.3
ALL ITEMS1.1
Table 1 Consumer Price Index (All Items)
PeriodConsumer Price Index (CPI) Percentage changes
Dec. 2016=100 Dec. 2011=100 1 month 3 months 12 months
2013Year100.4 101.6     0.5
2014Year100.6 101.8     0.2
2015Year100.3 101.5     -0.3
2016Year100.3 101.5     0.0
2017Year100.7 101.9     0.4
2018Year101.2 102.4     0.5
2019Year102.1 103.3     0.9
           
2017January99.5 100.7 -0.5 -0.6 0.3
 February100.1 101.3 0.6 0.1 0.5
 March100.7 101.9 0.6 0.7 0.7
 April101.1 102.3 0.4 1.6 0.9
 May100.9 102.1 -0.2 0.8 0.2
 June101.0 102.2 0.1 0.3 -0.4
 July101.0 102.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.2
 August101.4 102.7 0.4 0.5 0.4
 September100.8 102.0 -0.6 -0.2 0.2
 October100.7 101.9 -0.1 -0.3 0.6
 November100.5 101.7 -0.2 -0.9 0.5
 December100.4 101.6 -0.1 -0.4 0.4
           
2018January99.7 100.9 -0.7 -1.0 0.2
 February100.6 101.8 0.9 0.1 0.5
 March100.9 102.1 0.3 0.5 0.2
 April100.7 101.9 -0.2 1.0 -0.4
 May101.3 102.5 0.6 0.7 0.4
 June101.4 102.6 0.1 0.5 0.4
 July101.8 103.0 0.4 1.1 0.8
 August102.1 103.3 0.3 0.8 0.7
 September101.7 102.9 -0.4 0.3 0.9
 October101.6 102.8 -0.1 -0.2 0.9
 November101.1 102.4 -0.5 -1.0 0.6
 December101.1 102.3 0.0 -0.6 0.7
           
2019January100.4 101.6 -0.7 -1.2 0.7
 February101.2 102.4 0.8 0.1 0.6
 March102.0 103.2 0.8 0.9 1.1
 April102.4 103.6 0.4 2.0 1.7
 May102.3 103.5 -0.1 1.1 1.0
 June102.5 103.7 0.2 0.5 1.1
 July102.3 103.5 -0.2 -0.1 0.5
 August102.8 104.0 0.5 0.5 0.7
 September102.6 103.8 -0.2 0.1 0.9
 October102.3 103.6 -0.3 0.0 0.7
 November102.2 103.4 -0.1 -0.6 1.1
 December102.4 103.6 0.2 -0.2 1.3
           
2020January101.7 102.9 -0.7 -0.6 1.3
 February102.3 103.6 0.6 0.1 1.1
Table 2 Consumer Price Index Subindices - February 2020
Subindices  Consumer Price Index (CPI) Percentage changes
Weights         
2020 Dec. 2016=100Dec. 2011=100 1 month 3 months 12 months
CPI excluding Tobacco97.906 101.9102.4 0.7 0.2 1.0
CPI excluding Housing89.677 101.2102.6 0.7 0.2 0.9
CPI excluding Mortgage Interest97.483 102.3106.0 0.6 0.1 1.1
CPI excluding Mortgage Interest and Local Property Tax97.056 102.3105.6 0.7 0.2 1.1
CPI excluding Energy Products92.385 101.7103.8 0.8 0.2 0.9
CPI excluding Energy and Unprocessed Food87.306 102.0104.5 0.9 0.2 1.0
Notes: CPI excluding Housing excludes rents, mortgage interest, maintenance & repair of the dwelling, refuse collection, sewage collection and
           insurance connected with the dwelling.
           CPI excluding Energy Products excludes fuels & lubricants for personal transport equipment and electricity, gas & other fuels.
           CPI excluding Energy and Unprocessed Food excludes fuels & lubricants for personal transport equipment, electricity, gas & other fuels, meat,
           vegetables, fruit and fish.
Table 3 Consumer Price COICOP Division Indices - February 2020
COICOP Division  Consumer Price Index (CPI) Percentage changes
Weights         
2020 Dec. 2016=100Dec. 2011=100 1 month 3 months 12 months
01Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages10.166 96.090.4 -0.1 -0.2 -1.0
02Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco4.614 109.8125.4 -1.3 2.1 3.1
03Clothing and Footwear4.552 91.678.6 4.2 -4.3 -1.0
04Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels14.070 111.8112.0 -0.4 -0.1 2.9
05Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance4.972 89.376.0 0.9 -1.7 -2.5
06Health3.184 103.4106.3 1.1 1.2 1.7
07Transport14.319 103.498.6 1.6 1.7 3.0
08Communications2.615 89.681.9 0.1 -2.2 -9.5
09Recreation and Culture7.596 100.696.5 0.7 1.0 1.9
10Education1.777 107.5130.6 0.0 0.0 4.1
11Restaurants and Hotels20.496 107.6117.6 0.7 0.0 1.3
12Miscellaneous Goods and Services11.640 98.0113.8 0.5 0.4 1.3
 ALL ITEMS100.000 102.3103.6 0.6 0.1 1.1
 Of which:          
   Goods40.502 96.687.6 0.3 -0.5 -0.4
   Services59.498 106.7117.2 0.8 0.6 2.2
   Energy Products7.615 110.1101.9 -1.6 -0.1 3.8
   Utilities and Local Charges2.859 110.3122.8 0.0 0.0 1.8
   Alcohol10.387 104.2112.9 -0.5 1.0 0.0
   Tobacco2.094 120.0154.1 0.0 0.2 6.3
   Mortgage Interest2.517 104.165.2 0.0 0.7 2.9
   Services excluding Mortgage Interest56.981 106.9123.4 0.8 0.7 2.2
Notes: See Background Notes for definition of COICOP divisions, goods, services and utilities and local charges.
            Restaurants and Hotels (COICOP 11) includes alcoholic beverages consumed on licensed premises.
            Alcohol constitutes part of COICOP 02 (off-licence sales) and part of COICOP 11 (alcohol consumed on licensed premises) giving a combined
            index for alcohol.
Table 4 COICOP Division 01 Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages - February 2020
DescriptionWeights Index Percentage changes
2020 Dec. 2016=100 1 month12 months
01.1 Food8.9942 95.8 -0.3-0.9
   01.1.1 Bread & Cereals1.4186 94.8 0.1-0.6
                   Rice0.0594 85.9 -1.8-2.2
                   Flours & other cereals0.0302 94.4 0.1-1.3
                   Bread0.4507 99.7 0.51.1
                   Other bakery products0.4820 92.9 -1.6-2.4
                   Pizza & quiche0.0899 87.0 0.5-3.5
                   Pasta products & couscous0.0694 91.7 -1.31.7
                   Breakfast cereals0.1599 97.4 2.21.7
                   Other cereal products0.0770 93.4 7.20.5
   01.1.2 Meat2.4069 96.9 0.41.3
                    Beef & veal0.3851 95.1 -0.82.5
                    Pork0.1372 103.6 -3.18.0
                    Lamb & goat0.1177 92.3 3.63.9
                    Poultry0.5740 94.1 -0.3-1.5
                    Edible offal0.0044 101.5 -0.40.4
                    Dried, salted or smoked meat0.4327 100.9 1.53.9
                    Other meat preparations0.7558 96.9 0.9-0.8
   01.1.3 Fish0.3597 92.8 -2.4-1.5
                   Fresh or chilled fish 0.1766 89.1 -4.9-1.0
                   Frozen fish0.0224 87.7 -0.3-5.8
                   Fresh or chilled seafood 0.0200 98.1 -1.3-1.9
                   Dried, smoked or salted fish & seafood0.0339 104.5 1.00.1
                   Other preserved or processed fish & seafood-based preparations0.1068 95.3 0.0-1.8
   01.1.4 Milk, cheese & eggs1.0341 96.5 0.2-1.5
                   Fresh whole milk0.2271 100.1 -0.10.1
                   Fresh low fat milk0.1342 99.7 -0.1-0.5
                   Yoghurt0.2138 100.2 0.8-0.7
                   Cheese & curd 0.2323 89.9 1.5-3.9
                   Other milk products0.0941 92.8 0.3-2.2
                   Eggs0.1326 95.4 -2.0-2.1
   01.1.5 Oils & fats0.2641 103.6 -1.1-1.1
                   Butter0.1332 112.4 -1.1-0.8
                   Margarine & other vegetable fats0.0609 95.2 -3.7-2.0
                   Olive oil0.0263 91.1 3.2-1.8
                   Other edible oils0.0437 96.7 0.2-0.5
   01.1.6 Fruit0.8010 98.3 -0.4-0.6
                   Fresh or chilled fruit0.6548 98.8 -0.20.0
                   Dried fruit & nuts0.1281 95.4 -1.8-3.7
                   Preserved fruit & fruit-based products0.0181 98.4 -1.50.1
   01.1.7 Vegetables1.5114 95.3 -0.5-3.6
                   Fresh or chilled vegetables other than potatoes & other tubers0.6482 96.3 -0.4-1.0
                   Frozen vegetables other than potatoes & other tubers0.0398 84.0 2.4-4.7
                   Dried vegetables, other preserved or processed vegetables0.2894 87.2 -1.4-5.1
                   Potatoes0.3363 101.2 -1.1-8.1
                   Crisps0.1806 96.2 0.4-0.5
   01.1.8 Sugar, jam, honey, chocolate & confectionery0.6796 90.9 -2.2-2.7
                   Sugar0.0298 89.8 -0.1-5.5
                   Jams, marmalades & honey0.0695 86.0 -0.2-5.2
                   Chocolate0.3251 92.6 -6.5-2.9
                   Confectionery products0.1279 90.3 3.3-1.3
                   Edible ices & ice cream0.1081 89.5 3.6-1.3
                   Artificial sugar substitutes0.0192 91.2 0.4-2.0
   01.1.9 Food products n.e.c. 0.5188 94.6 -0.5-0.7
                   Sauces & condiments0.2310 94.1 0.1-0.5
                   Salt, spices & culinary herbs0.0485 95.7 -0.6-3.9
                   Baby food0.0345 98.4 -0.51.4
                   Ready-made meals0.0944 95.8 -2.8-0.6
                   Other food products n.e.c.0.1104 92.9 0.5-0.5
01.2 Non-alcoholic beverages1.1714 98.3 2.0-1.0
   01.2.1 Coffee, tea & cocoa0.2677 92.4 1.5-4.8
                   Coffee0.1391 93.3 5.8-7.4
                   Tea0.1170 92.1 -2.6-1.6
                   Cocoa & powdered chocolate0.0116 84.6 -3.5-4.4
   01.2.2 Mineral waters, soft drinks, fruit & vegetable juices0.9037 100.0 1.90.1
                   Mineral or spring waters0.2165 97.4 5.0-5.3
                   Soft drinks0.3635 106.2 0.73.5
                   Fruit & vegetable juices0.3236 94.8 1.5-0.1
Total 10.1655 96.0 -0.1-1.0
Table 5 COICOP Division 02 Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco - February 2020
DescriptionWeights Index Percentage changes
2020 Dec. 2016=100 1 month12 months
02.1 Alcoholic Beverages2.5201 99.0 -2.2-1.3
   02.1.1 Spirits0.4203 113.7 -1.62.7
   02.1.2 Wine1.3485 89.7 -3.4-4.1
   02.1.3 Beer0.7514 106.3 0.10.9
02.2 Tobacco2.0941 120.0 0.06.3
                   Cigarettes1.8468 119.6 0.06.3
                   Other tobacco products0.2473 123.0 0.16.8
Total4.6142 109.8 -1.33.1
Table 6 COICOP Division 03 Clothing and Footwear - February 2020
DescriptionWeights Index Percentage changes
2020 Dec. 2016=100 1 month12 months
03.1 Clothing3.7783 93.5 4.8-0.3
   03.1.2 Garments3.4848 93.2 5.1-0.3
   03.1.3 Other articles of clothing & clothing accessories0.2077 92.7 1.5-2.9
   03.1.4 Cleaning, repair & hire of clothing0.0858 104.2 0.32.0
                   Dry cleaning & laundry0.0770 104.4 0.22.2
                   Dress hire & repair of clothing0.0087 101.7 0.00.0
03.2 Footwear0.7742 83.2 1.5-4.0
   03.2.1 Shoes & other footwear0.7699 83.0 1.5-4.0
   03.2.2 Repair & hire of footwear0.0044 103.4 0.21.5
Total4.5525 91.6 4.2-1.0
Table 7 COICOP Division 04 Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels - February 2020
DescriptionWeights Index Percentage changes
2020 Dec. 2016=100 1 month12 months
04.1/04.2 Actual rentals for housing & mortgage interest8.9991 113.6 0.23.7
   04.1.1 Actual rentals paid by tenants (Rents)6.4822 117.9 0.34.1
                   Private Rents5.6047 118.0 0.33.9
                   Local Authority Rents0.8774 117.1 0.05.6
   04.2.1 Mortgage Interest 2.5169 104.1 0.02.9
04.3 Maintenance & repair of the dwelling0.8826 107.8 0.73.1
   04.3.1 Materials for the maintenance & repair of the dwelling0.3557 105.4 1.61.2
   04.3.2 Services for the maintenance & repair of the dwelling0.5268 109.0 0.04.2
04.4 Water supply & miscellaneous services relating to the dwelling 0.2834 102.4 0.41.4
04.5 Electricity, gas & other fuels3.9052 109.2 -1.90.6
   04.5.1 Electricity1.8203 112.0 0.02.7
   04.5.2 Gas0.7181 111.2 0.00.0
                   Natural gas0.6696 111.8 0.00.1
                   Bottled gas0.0485 102.7 -0.2-1.0
   04.5.3 Liquid fuels (Home Heating Oil)0.9210 105.7 -7.6-2.8
   04.5.4 Solid fuels0.4458 103.0 0.11.0
Total14.0703 111.8 -0.42.9
Table 8 COICOP Division 05 Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance - February 2020
DescriptionWeights Index Percentage changes
2020 Dec. 2016=100 1 month12 months
05.1 Furniture & furnishings, carpets & other floor coverings1.4844 83.7 1.8-4.7
   05.1.1 Furniture & furnishings1.3967 83.3 2.0-4.9
   05.1.2 Carpets & other floor coverings0.0876 95.5 -0.8-1.5
05.2 Household textiles0.4308 73.1 0.0-9.3
05.3 Household appliances0.5167 90.0 0.9-3.0
   05.3.1 Major household appliances whether electric or not0.3871 90.6 1.1-2.8
   05.3.2 Small electric household appliances0.0948 82.3 0.2-5.1
   05.3.3 Repair of household appliances0.0348 102.2 0.00.0
05.4 Glassware, tableware & household utensils0.2213 81.5 0.7-5.2
05.5 Tools & equipment for house & garden0.2501 93.2 -0.1-2.1
   05.5.1 Major tools & equipment0.0835 89.6 -0.1-3.0
   05.5.2 Small tools & miscellaneous accessories0.1666 95.3 -0.2-1.8
05.6 Goods & services for routine household maintenance2.0684 97.8 0.50.8
   05.6.1 Non-durable household goods0.8899 80.6 1.1-5.7
   05.6.2 Domestic services & household services1.1786 115.1 0.05.8
Total4.9717 89.3 0.9-2.5
Table 9 COICOP Division 06 Health - February 2020
DescriptionWeights Index Percentage changes
2020 Dec. 2016=100 1 month12 months
06.1 Medical products, appliances & equipment0.9760 96.4 1.40.5
   06.1.1 Pharmaceutical products0.8026 96.6 1.81.0
                   Prescribed drugs0.5030 93.4 0.2-0.7
                   Other medicines0.2996 102.0 4.33.8
   06.1.2 Other medical products0.0224 98.9 -0.8-0.3
   06.1.3 Therapeutic appliances & equipment0.1510 95.2 0.0-1.3
06.2 Out-patient services1.9829 107.6 1.02.5
   06.2.1/3 Medical & paramedical services1.3289 108.5 1.52.9
                   Doctors' fees1.1522 108.8 1.83.0
                   Other medical & paramedical services0.1767 106.7 0.43.1
   06.2.2 Dental services0.6540 105.8 0.11.3
06.3 Hospital services0.2248 100.3 0.0-0.5
Total3.1837 103.4 1.11.7
Table 10 COICOP Division 07 Transport - February 2020
DescriptionWeights Index Percentage changes
2020 Dec. 2016=100 1 month12 months
07.1 Purchase of vehicles5.3591 100.3 0.41.8
   07.1.1 Motor cars5.2810 100.4 0.41.8
   07.1.2 Motor cycles0.0194 103.5 0.20.0
   07.1.3 Bicycles0.0588 93.8 0.41.2
07.2 Operation of personal transport equipment6.3749 106.9 -0.74.3
   07.2.1 Spare parts & accessories for personal transport equipment0.3777 103.1 1.00.4
   07.2.2 Fuels & lubricants for personal transport equipment3.7099 110.9 -1.46.7
                   Petrol1.8991 110.5 -1.18.7
                   Diesel1.8055 111.4 -1.65.0
                   Motor oil0.0053 105.8 0.01.4
   07.2.3 Maintenance & repair of personal transport equipment0.7151 102.8 0.31.2
   07.2.4 Other services in respect of personal transport equipment1.5722 100.2 -0.10.6
                   Motor tax0.6685 100.0 0.00.0
                   Other vehicle costs0.9037 100.3 -0.11.1
07.3 Transport services2.5846 99.8 10.51.8
   07.3.1 Passenger transport by railway0.1991 103.6 0.00.3
   07.3.2 Passenger transport by road0.7110 103.3 0.00.3
                   Bus fares0.5049 103.1 0.00.4
                   Taxi fares0.2061 103.7 0.00.0
   07.3.3 Passenger transport by air1.5872 98.2 19.33.2
   07.3.4 Passenger transport by sea & inland waterway0.0416 98.8 -10.413.0
   07.3.5 Combined passenger transport0.0204 99.7 0.0-0.5
   07.3.6 Other purchased transport services0.0253 106.5 0.03.7
Total14.3186 103.4 1.63.0
Table 11 COICOP Division 08 Communications - February 2020
DescriptionWeights Index Percentage changes
2020 Dec. 2016=100 1 month12 months
08.1 Postal services0.1272 124.7 0.50.9
08.2/3.0 Telephone & telefax equipment and telephone & telefax services2.4875 88.1 0.1-9.9
Total2.6147 89.6 0.1-9.5
Table 12 COICOP Division 09 Recreation and Culture - February 2020
DescriptionWeights Index Percentage changes
2020 Dec. 2016=100 1 month12 months
09.1 Audio-visual, photographic & information processing equipment0.1917 69.3 -0.3-5.7
   09.1.1 Equipment for the reception, recording & reproduction of sound & pictures 0.0632 65.2 -1.5-12.1
   09.1.2 Photographic & cinematographic equipment & optical instruments0.0153 82.2 -0.2-5.4
   09.1.3 Information processing equipment0.0679 49.0 -0.4-9.4
   09.1.4 Recording media0.0412 92.1 1.58.7
   09.1.5 Repair of audio-visual, photographic & information processing equipment0.0041 99.0 -0.8-2.7
09.2 Other major durables for recreation & culture0.0091 95.1 -0.13.5
09.3 Other recreational items & equipment, gardens & pets1.3121 86.9 0.1-2.8
   09.3.1 Games, toys & hobbies0.3755 79.9 -1.2-6.4
   09.3.2 Equipment for sport, camping & open-air recreation0.1431 73.9 1.8-1.3
   09.3.3 Gardens, plants & flowers0.3529 89.4 0.7-3.5
   09.3.4/5 Pets & related products including veterinary & other services for pets0.4405 99.6 0.30.6
09.4 Recreational & cultural services3.9799 106.3 0.92.7
   09.4.1 Recreational & sporting services2.1697 113.2 2.12.6
                   Sports admittance0.1425 116.2 -0.77.6
                   Sports participation1.1313 116.7 3.13.3
                   Club & society subscriptions0.8734 108.1 1.01.0
   09.4.2 Cultural services1.8103 101.6 -0.52.7
                   Cinema0.1833 107.7 -0.5-0.2
                   Nightclubs0.0777 103.9 0.32.1
                   Cultural admittance0.2919 97.2 -3.64.6
                   Television services1.1928 101.0 0.02.4
                   Other entertainment0.0646 107.1 0.44.2
09.5 Newspapers, books & stationery0.8686 106.7 1.22.3
   09.5.1 Books0.1867 105.0 2.61.9
   09.5.2 Newspapers & periodicals0.3568 115.0 1.05.5
   09.5.3/4 Miscellaneous printed matter and stationery & drawing materials0.3252 97.1 0.5-1.1
09.6 Package holidays1.2344 104.8 0.35.3
Total7.5958 100.6 0.71.9
Table 13 COICOP Division 10 Education - February 2020
DescriptionWeights Index Percentage changes
2020 Dec. 2016=100 1 month12 months
10.1 Pre-primary & primary education0.1118 101.7 0.00.7
10.2 Secondary education0.2485 106.4 0.02.7
10.4 Tertiary education1.2635 108.9 0.05.1
10.5 Education not definable by level0.1532 102.8 0.00.8
Total1.7770 107.5 0.04.1
Table 14 COICOP Division 11 Restaurants and Hotels - February 2020
DescriptionWeights Index Percentage changes
2020 Dec. 2016=100 1 month12 months
11.1 Catering services17.8206 107.6 0.21.2
   11.1.1 Restaurants, cafes & the like16.9450 107.8 0.21.2
                  Licenced premises8.8851 106.7 0.20.8
                      Spirits0.5699 107.6 0.21.3
                      Wine2.1774 106.2 0.31.0
                      Beer5.1195 106.5 0.10.6
                      Soft drinks & mineral water1.0184 108.2 0.11.3
                  Restaurants, cafes, fast food & take-away food8.0599 109.1 0.31.8
   11.1.2 Canteens0.8757 103.2 0.01.0
11.2 Accommodation services2.6754 108.5 4.02.4
Total20.4960 107.6 0.71.3
Table 15 COICOP Division 12 Miscellaneous Goods and Services - February 2020
DescriptionWeights Index Percentage changes
2020 Dec. 2016=100 1 month12 months
12.1 Personal care3.4168 94.9 0.4-0.7
   12.1.1 Hairdressing salons & personal grooming establishments1.2807 107.7 0.12.2
                     Hairdressing0.9593 109.9 0.12.4
                     Health & beauty treatments0.3214 101.2 0.01.4
   12.1.2 Electric appliances for personal care0.0418 84.3 0.1-8.1
   12.1.3 Other appliances, articles & products for personal care2.0942 88.5 0.7-2.4
                     Hygiene products0.5303 93.0 1.8-1.9
                     Hair products0.2545 87.7 -0.1-2.7
                     Cosmetics & skincare products0.8155 88.8 0.5-3.3
                     Toilet accessories0.4940 83.6 0.2-1.6
12.3 Personal effects n.e.c.0.6959 81.2 0.6-4.1
   12.3.1 Jewellery, clocks & watches0.4114 91.8 0.7-0.6
   12.3.2 Other personal effects0.2845 71.0 0.4-9.2
12.4 Social protection1.2223 106.5 0.02.6
                     Childcare1.0747 106.4 0.02.7
                     Other social protection0.1476 107.9 0.02.3
12.5 Insurance4.7153 98.8 0.83.1
   12.5.2 Insurance connected with the dwelling0.2934 105.6 0.3-0.8
   12.5.3 Insurance connected with health3.2521 106.5 1.26.4
   12.5.4 Insurance connected with transport1.1698 77.9 -0.1-6.1
                  Motor insurance1.1359 77.2 -0.1-6.3
                     Motor cycle insurance0.0075 89.3 0.00.0
                     Motor car insurance1.1284 77.1 -0.1-6.4
                  Travel insurance0.0339 103.6 0.01.4
12.6 Financial services n.e.c.0.4259 100.4 0.20.7
12.7 Other services n.e.c.1.1638 104.7 0.12.0
Total11.6399 98.0 0.51.3
Table 16 Consumer Price Index Goods and Services by COICOP Division - February 2020
COICOP DivisionWeights 2020 Index       Percentage changes
    Dec. 2016=100    
          
OverallGoodsServices GoodsServices GoodsServicesOverall
       12 months12 months12 months
01Food and Non Alcoholic Beverages10.16610.166- 96.0- -1.0--1.0
02Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco4.6144.614- 109.8- 3.1-3.1
03Clothing and Footwear4.5524.4620.090 91.4104.1 -1.11.9-1.0
04Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels 14.0701.77112.299 104.5112.8 -1.13.42.9
05Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance4.9723.7481.223 82.7114.6 -5.25.6-2.5
06Health3.1840.9762.208 96.4106.8 0.52.11.7
07Transport14.3199.4474.872 104.9100.3 3.81.23.0
08Communications2.6150.2492.365 52.797.8 -17.3-3.6-9.5
09Recreation and Culture7.5962.2365.360 90.4106.1 -1.53.21.9
10Education1.777-1.777 -107.5 -4.14.1
11Restaurants and Hotels20.496-20.496 -107.6 -1.31.3
12Miscellaneous Goods & Services11.6402.8328.808 86.4101.5 -2.92.61.3
ALL ITEMS100.00040.50259.498 96.6106.7 -0.42.21.1
Table 17 Contributions to the change in the All Items CPI - February 2020
COICOP DivisionPercentage contributions
1 month 3 months 12 months
01Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages-0.01 -0.01 -0.11
02Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco-0.06 0.09 0.15
03Clothing and Footwear0.18 -0.20 -0.04
04Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels-0.05 -0.01 0.41
05Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance0.04 -0.08 -0.12
06Health0.04 0.04 0.05
07Transport0.21 0.24 0.42
08Communications0.00 -0.06 -0.28
09Recreation and Culture0.05 0.07 0.14
10Education0.00 0.00 0.08
11Restaurants and Hotels0.13 0.01 0.25
12Miscellaneous Goods and Services0.06 0.05 0.16
 All Items % change0.6 0.1 1.1 
 Goods0.11 -0.21 -0.16
 Services0.49 0.35 1.26
 Energy Products-0.12 -0.01 0.30
 Tobacco0.00 0.00 0.20
 Mortgage Interest0.00 0.02 0.08
Notes: For the percentage contributions, the sum of the 2-digit COICOP divisions may not equal the All Items %
           change due to rounding differences.
Table 18 EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) - Ireland
Period HICP 2015=100 Percentage changes
 Monthly indexMoving 12-month average index 1 month12 monthsMoving 12-month average
2017January98.999.8 -0.50.2-0.2
 February99.499.8 0.50.3-0.2
 March100.099.9 0.60.6-0.1
 April100.499.9 0.40.70.0
 May100.299.9 -0.20.00.0
 June100.399.9 0.1-0.60.0
 July100.499.9 0.1-0.20.0
 August100.899.9 0.40.40.0
 September100.299.9 -0.60.20.1
 October100.1100.0 -0.10.50.1
 November100.0100.0 -0.10.50.2
 December99.9100.1 -0.10.50.3
        
2018January99.2100.1 -0.70.30.3
 February100.1100.1 0.90.70.3
 March100.5100.2 0.40.50.3
 April100.3100.2 -0.2-0.10.2
 May100.9100.2 0.60.70.3
 June101.0100.3 0.10.70.4
 July101.4100.4 0.41.00.5
 August101.7100.4 0.30.90.5
 September101.4100.5 -0.31.20.6
 October101.2100.6 -0.21.10.7
 November100.8100.7 -0.40.80.7
 December100.7100.8 -0.10.80.7
        
2019January100.0100.8 -0.70.80.8
 February100.8100.9 0.80.70.8
 March101.6101.0 0.81.10.8
 April102.0101.1 0.41.71.0
 May101.9101.2 -0.11.01.0
 June102.1101.3 0.21.11.0
 July101.9101.3 -0.20.51.0
 August102.3101.4 0.40.60.9
 September102.0101.4 -0.30.60.9
 October101.8101.5 -0.20.60.9
 November101.6101.6 -0.20.80.9
 December101.8101.7 0.21.10.9
        
2020January101.1101.7 -0.71.10.9
 February101.7101.8 0.60.90.9
Table 19 EU Harmonised Consumer Price COICOP Division Indices - February 2020 Ireland
COICOP DivisionHICP Percentage changes Percentage contributions
Year 2015=100 1 month 12 months 1 month 12 months
01Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages93.2 -0.1 -1.0 -0.01 -0.11
02Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco110.7 -1.2 3.2 -0.06 0.16
03Clothing and Footwear89.4 4.2 -1.0 0.19 -0.05
04Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels116.9 -0.4 2.8 -0.06 0.33
05Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance84.8 0.8 -2.5 0.04 -0.13
06Health102.9 0.6 0.7 0.04 0.04
07Transport99.9 1.6 3.1 0.22 0.44
08Communications87.5 0.0 -9.5 0.00 -0.30
09Recreation and Culture98.1 0.6 1.9 0.05 0.15
10Education112.5 0.0 4.1 0.00 0.08
11Restaurants and Hotels109.5 0.6 1.3 0.14 0.27
12Miscellaneous Goods and Services95.9 0.3 0.1 0.03 0.01
All Items HICP101.7 0.6 0.9 0.6 0.9 
Notes: For the percentage contributions, the sum of the 2-digit COICOP divisions may not equal the All Items HICP due to rounding differences.

Background Notes

Consumer Price Index

Definition

The Consumer Price Index is designed to measure the change in the average level of prices (inclusive of all indirect taxes) paid for consumer goods and services by all private and institutional households in the country and by foreign tourists holidaying in Ireland.

Consumer Price Index (CPI)

Approximately 51,000 prices are collected for a representative basket consisting of 615 item headings in a fixed panel of retail and service outlets throughout the country during the week containing the second Tuesday of each month up to and including the third Tuesday of each month.

Scope of the Index

  1. Population Coverage: All private and institutional households in the State and the expenditure of foreign tourists within Ireland.  It does not include the expenditure of other non-private households.    Expenditure which occurs abroad by Irish residents is also excluded.  In statistical terms coverage is referred to as the domestic concept.
  2. Geographic Coverage: Covers the whole of the Republic of Ireland.  Pricing takes place in 84 locations (cities and towns) throughout the country.  These sampling points are located in Dublin city and county, the four regional cities of Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford, approx. 80% of towns with a population of 10,000 and over, approx. 70% of towns between 5,000 and 9,999 and a smaller proportion below this threshold.  The results are weighted to represent the distribution of the population and its related consumer expenditure.
  3. Item Coverage: All goods and services bought by the reference population for the purposes of consumption are included in the index.  Expenditure on capital assets and investments, gambling and certain other activities are however excluded.  There are 615 item headings and 12 division headings based on the COICOP classification.  With each rebase the coverage of goods and services is reviewed to ensure that it continues to be representative of consumer tastes and purchasing practices.

Price Collection   

Personal visits are made to retail outlets by some 80 price collectors on a monthly basis.  Approximately 48,000 price quotations are gathered in this way.  In addition, 137 special inquiries covering items such as utility charges and services are conducted by post, telephone and e-mail in conjunction with internet price collection.  Most prices are collected monthly, some quarterly and others annually.  The CSO supplies general specifications to price collectors and price collectors are free initially to select a brand and in certain cases, size.  This allows for a wide variety of different brands of the same item to be priced throughout the country.  Once selected, the same item/brand is priced on a monthly basis in order to ensure matched price quotations.  If an item disappears, substitution can occur but that price is excluded until matched prices are available for the same comparable item for two consecutive months.  The CSO wishes to put on record its appreciation of the co-operation and assistance it receives from retail outlets and other business concerns.

Classification

The classification used in the CPI is based on a version of the Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose Adapted to the Needs of Harmonised Indices of Consumer Prices (2000) (COICOP).  This replaced the former national classification which was used up to December 2001.  The COICOP classification breaks consumer expenditure into twelve different divisions covering a comprehensive range of consumer goods and services.

Annual Update of CPI Weights

Since 2012 the weights of the items in the basket have been updated annually at CPI COICOP class (4-digit) level using information on consumer expenditure from National Accounts Household Final Monetary Consumption Expenditure (HFMCE). Additionally at the 2016 rebase, a more granular level update of the weights (5-digit) was possible using information from the latest Household Budget Survey (HBS) which was carried out between February 2015 and February 2016.

CPI Item Weights

The CPI measures in index form the monthly changes in the cost of purchasing a fixed representative ‘basket’ of consumer goods and services (i.e. Laspeyres formula).  Identical items are priced in the same outlet on each occasion so that changes in the cost of this constant basket reflect only pure price changes. The current basket of goods and services consists of 615 representative items which were predominantly selected as part of the December 2016 rebase.  The representative share of each item in the basket is proportional to the average amount purchased by all households in the State and foreign tourists in Ireland based primarily on the 2015/2016 Household Budget Survey (HBS) and estimates of expenditure by foreign tourists across a range of consumer goods and services.  

Methodological Details

A full methodological description of the new series is available in the CPI - Introduction of Updated Series (Base December 2016=100) (PDF 1,524KB) which is published on the CSO website. 

Rebase

The index has been rebased with effect from December 2016.

The rebase of the current CPI resulted in a number of methodological changes:

  • Updating the expenditure weights;
  • A revision of the sample of goods and services;
  • Improved methods of price collection

Goods and Services

Goods

Goods are defined as non service items usually purchased and transportable from a retail outlet.

Services

Services include the following: rents, mortgage interest, services for the maintenance & repair of the dwelling, water supply & miscellaneous services relating to the dwelling, electricity, gas, repair of household appliances, tool hire, domestic services & household services, out-patient services, hospital services, maintenance/repair and other services in respect of personal transport equipment, transport services, postal services, telephone services, repair of audio-visual, photographic & information processing equipment, veterinary & other services for pets, recreational & cultural services, package holidays, education, catering services, accommodation services, hairdressing salons & personal grooming establishments, social protection, insurance, financial services n.e.c. and other services n.e.c.

Utilities and Local Charges

Includes electricity, natural gas, refuse collection, sewage collection, water supply and telephone services – landline.

Mortgage Interest and the Local Property Tax in the CPI

Mortgage interest was first included in the CPI at the November 1975 rebase. The use of mortgage interest in the CPI reflects a user-cost approach to measuring owner-occupied housing.  This approach has involved measuring changes in average mortgage interest costs over time.  The household charge was introduced to the CPI in April 2012 and subsequently became the local property tax in July 2013. The local property tax is included in the basket under the item 'miscellaneous goods and services', which is part of COICOP 12.7.0.  The inclusion of the local property tax is consistent with the user-cost approach utilised for owner-occupied housing.  In the interest of transparency, an index excluding both mortgage interest and the local property tax is provided in Table 2 of the release to allow for their impact in the CPI to be seen.

Mortgage interest and the local property tax are excluded from the HICP.   

Water supply and sewage collection charges

Water supply and sewage collection charges were introduced in Ireland on 1 January 2015.  The coverage of the CPI/HICP is defined as those goods and services purchased by households for the purposes of consumption.  This definition required the incorporation of the new charges into the CPI/HICP.  Water supply and sewage collection charges are a component of group 04.4 Water supply & miscellaneous services relating to the dwelling of the COICOP consumption classification.  Water supply and sewage collection charges were suspended from 1st July 2016. 

For a full discussion on the rationale and methodology for introducing water supply and sewage collection charges into the CPI/HICP, see the relevant CPI Technical Paper Introduction of Water Supply and Sewage Collection (PDF 593KB) .

Harmonised Indices of Consumer Prices

Introduction

The European Union-Harmonised Indices of Consumer Prices (EU-HICP) is calculated in each Member State of the EU.  The purpose of this index is to allow the comparison of consumer price trends in the different Member States.

Comparison with CPI

The methodology now adopted for the construction of the national CPI is identical to that recommended for the HICP.  Thus the two indices only differ in respect of the coverage of certain goods and services and the treatment of insurance.  The current EU reference base period (Year 2015=100) is however retained for ease of comparison with other EU countries.

Excluded Items

The following items, constituting approximately 6.2% of the Irish CPI expenditure weighting (at rebase 2016), are excluded from the HICP:

  • mortgage interest
  • building materials
  • motor car tax
  • motor cycle tax
  • motor car insurance (non-service)
  • contents insurance (non-service)
  • dwelling insurance
  • union subscriptions
  • local property tax 

Annual Update of HICP Weights

Since 2012 the weights of the items in the basket have been updated annually at HICP COICOP class (4-digit) level using information on consumer expenditure from National Accounts Household Final Monetary Consumption Expenditure (HFMCE). Additionally at the 2016 rebase, a more granular level update of the weights (5-digit) was possible using information from the latest Household Budget Survey (HBS) which was carried out between February 2015 and February 2016.

Monetary Union Index of Consumer Prices (MUICP)

Euro area inflation is measured by the MUICP (‘Monetary Union Index of Consumer Prices’ as defined in Council Regulation (EC) No 2494/95 of 23 October 1995) which is the official euro area aggregate.  The MUICP is calculated as a weighted average of HICPs of the 18 countries in the euro area.  Country weights are computed every year reflecting the country’s share of the household final monetary consumption expenditure in the euro area total.

Classification System

The coverage of the indices is based on the international classification system, Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose Adapted to the Needs of Harmonised Indices of Consumer Prices (2000) (COICOP).

COICOP

Prior to the introduction of the December 2001 based series in January 2002 the CPI used a national classification while the EU Harmonised Indices of Consumer Prices (HICP) used COICOP.  To ensure greater comparability CPI and the HICP have both used the COICOP since December 2001.

The COICOP classification is based on 12 divisions:

01    Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages

Includes food and non-alcoholic beverages purchased in supermarkets, small shops, speciality shops and petrol station forecourt outlets.  It excludes meals out which are covered under 11 Restaurants and Hotels.

02    Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco

Includes alcoholic beverages purchased in off licences and supermarkets but excludes alcohol consumed on or within licensed premises which is classified under 11 Restaurants and Hotels.  It also includes tobacco products.

03    Clothing and Footwear

Men's, ladies and children's clothing and footwear, sports and leisurewear and services such as laundry and dry cleaning, shoe repair, dress hire and alteration.

04    Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels

Covers rents, mortgage interest repayments, refuse collection, goods and services for maintaining, decorating and repairing dwellings and domestic energy products such as electricity, gas, home heating oil and solid fuels.  Water supply and sewage collection were added to this division under the item 'water supply and miscellaneous services relating to the dwelling' in January 2015.

05    Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance

Covers household items such as furniture, carpets and other floor coverings, household textiles and soft furnishings, household appliances and other household items such as utensils, tools, garden equipment and non-durable items for cleaning, washing and other day to day household activity.  Also included are services such as electrical repair, cleaning and gardening.

06    Health

Includes medical products, appliances and equipment, hospital charges and outpatient services supplied by doctors, dentists, opticians, physiotherapists and practitioners of alternative and complementary medicine.

07    Transport

Includes the purchase of new and second hand vehicles, spare parts, car maintenance, fuels and lubricants, public transport and services such as parking, motor association subscriptions, car wash, toll charges, driving lessons, driving test, driving licence and car hire.

08    Communications

Postal and telecommunications services.

09    Recreation and Culture

Includes items such as audio visual and photographic equipment, computers, music and DVDs, sports and recreation goods, games and toys, items connected with gardening and pets, recreational, sporting and cultural activities and events, newspapers and other reading material, package holidays and other items connected with recreation and culture.

10    Education

Includes pre-primary and primary, secondary, third level fees and other education and training such as night courses and examination fees.

11    Restaurants and Hotels

Includes meals in restaurants and hotels, fast food and takeaways, cafes and canteens; alcohol consumed on or within licensed premises and accommodation services supplied by hotels, guesthouses and hostels.

12    Miscellaneous Goods and Services

Covers a wide range of items including hairdressing; goods for hygiene, hair and body care; personal goods such as jewellery, handbags and wallets; childcare and other social protection services; insurance, financial services and other services including funerals, weddings, legal and professional services.  The household charge was added to this division, in the CPI, under the item 'miscellaneous goods and services' in April 2012.  The household charge subsequently became the local property tax in July 2013. The local property tax is not included in the HICP.

HICP Flash Estimates

Under Regulation (EU) 2016/792, Ireland is obliged to send flash estimates to Eurostat as part of the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP). The flash estimates are compiled for the HICP All Items index and for the full COICOP sub-index breakdown of the HICP.

Eurostat publish the flash estimate, usually on the last working day of the reference month, which is about two weeks in advance of the final HICP. Their news release contains the EuroArea aggregate for the All Items HICP and nine major sub-indices. Since September 2019, Eurostat’s news release has also included a country table of annual and monthly changes in the HICP All Items flash estimate.

In line with Euro area countries, from November 2019, the CSO has agreed to allow publication of the annual and monthly changes in the HICP All Items flash estimate on the Eurostat website going forward. The HICP flash estimate will not appear on the CSO website.

Flash Estimate vs. Final HICP

The track record of the flash estimate as a predictor of the final HICP figure for Ireland has been good in years leading up to Eurostat publication. In recent years, inflation levels have been low and the published index and the monthly percentage change have been within zero or one percentage point of the flash estimate on most occasions – i.e. the final HICP has only minimally revised the flash estimate.

However, it should be noted that this is only a flash estimate and should be treated accordingly. The full quality control has not been completed to the same extent as the final HICP and in some instances missing prices have been imputed where price collection has not yet been completed in time for the flash estimate deadline.

In a period of higher inflation, the final HICP figure may diverge further from the earlier flash estimate.

Calculating percentage changes in the index

The movement of the CPI, HICP and their subindices are expressed as percentage changes, rather than changes in index points, because index point changes are affected by the level of the index in relation to its base period, whereas percentage changes are not.  The example below illustrates the computation of index point and percentage changes.

 

Index point change  
Current index 106.7
Less previous index 103.7
Equals index point change 3.0
   
Percentage change  
Index point change 3.0
Divided by the previous index 103.7
Equals 0.0289
Result multiplied by 100 0.0289 x 100
Equals percentage change 2.9

 

Estimating Contributions

A contribution represents the amount of the overall percentage change in the All Items CPI which is accounted for by any given category.  It can be estimated for any category in the CPI (e.g. the twelve COICOP 2-digit divisions) and for any period of time.

Data Required:

  1. Base weight for the category for which you wish to estimate the contribution.
  2. Current index for the category in question (same base period).
  3. Previous index for the category in question (same base period).
  4. All Items CPI for the previous period in question (i.e. the start period).

Example:

To estimate the contribution of Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (COICOP 01) to the overall annual percentage change in the CPI up to July 2006 you would need the following data

 

1 Base weight for COICOP 01 (base:December 2001=100) 14.092%
2 Current Index (i.e. July 2006) for COICOP 01 103.7
3 Previous Index (i.e. July 2005) for COICOP 01 102.1
4 All Items CPI for the previous period (i.e. July 2005) 111.3

                        

Steps in the calculation

Step 1 Multiply the base weight by the current index 14.092 x 103.7
  Equals (1) 1461.3404
Step 2 Multiply the base weight by the previous index 14.092 x 102.1
  Equals (2)  1438.7932
Step 3 Subtract figure (2) from figure (1) 1461.3404 - 1438.7932
  Equals (3) 22.5472
Step 4 Divide figure (3) by the All Items CPI for the previous period 22.5472 / 111.3
  Equals Contribution 0.20

                                                                                                                                              

Therefore your estimated contribution of Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages to the percentage change in the CPI for the year to July 2006 is 0.20.  The actual published figure was 0.19.  The difference is due to the fact that actual published contributions are calculated using data to more decimal places.

It is more complicated to estimate contributions where more than one base period is involved, as the base weights will have changed (e.g. to estimate a contribution for the period January 2000 to January 2005 involves the November 1996=100 base and the December 2001=100 base).  For assistance in this regard please contact the CPI section.

Data Dissemination on www.cso.ie

The CSO website (www.cso.ie) now holds a range of CPI data.  Within the Consumer Prices section of the website (accessed via the ‘Prices’ link on the homepage), a range of principle statistics are held including overall annual percentage changes from 1977 to date, All Items CPI annual figures from 1996 to date and COICOP division monthly and annual figures from 2002 to date.

Further data can be accessed at www.cso.ie by clicking on ‘Databases’ and ‘StatBank CSO Main Data Dissemination Service’.  The subject area is ‘Economy’, ‘Prices’, ‘Consumer Prices’ and ‘Consumer Prices - Annual Series’ or ‘Consumer Prices - Monthly Series’.  The website is updated each month at 11am on the CPI publication day.

The Database Direct for the CPI contains monthly and annual index numbers and percentage changes for the following categories and time periods:

 

Category  Period
All Items CPI  1975 to date
12 COICOP Divisions  1975 to date

Special CPI Subindices (CPI excluding Tobacco, Energy Products, etc.)

1982 to date
Harmonised Indices of Consumer Prices (HICP) 1997 to date

                                                                                                                                                                                                             

In addition, the following data can also be accessed within Database Direct.

  • National average prices for selected CPI goods and services from January 1997 to date.
  • All Items CPI numbers for various base periods from 1922 to date.
  • Detailed sub-indices are available from 2003 to date. 

Any queries relating to the usage of the web dissemination database for CPI data should be directed to cpi@cso.ie

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