Prices on average, as measured by the CPI, were 3.7% higher in September compared with September 2020.

The most notable changes in the year were increases in Transport (+11.4%), Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (+9.0%), Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+4.9%) and Restaurants & Hotels (+2.7%).  There were decreases in Clothing & Footwear (-3.0%) and Miscellaneous Goods & Services (-0.2%).

Consumer Prices in September, as measured by the CPI, increased by 0.5% in the month.  During September of last year, prices fell by 0.4% in the month.  The most significant monthly price changes were increases in Clothing & Footwear (+2.9%) and Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (+1.6%).  There were decreases in Health (-0.7%) and Restaurants & Hotels (-0.6%).

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 (+1.45%), Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (+1.43%), Restaurants & Hotels (+0.36%) and Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+0.32%).

The divisions which caused the largest downward contribution to the CPI in the year were Clothing & Footwear (-0.13%) and Miscellaneous Goods & Services (-0.02%).

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

• Transport increased primarily due to higher prices for diesel, petrol and motor cars, an increase in airfares and a rise in the cost of services in respect of personal transport equipment.
• Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels rose mainly due to higher rents and mortgage interest repayments and an increase in the cost of electricity, home heating oil and gas.
• Restaurants & Hotels increased primarily due to higher prices for alcoholic drinks and food consumed in licensed premises, restaurants, cafes etc.
• Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco rose due to an increase in the cost of tobacco products and higher prices for alcoholic beverages sold in supermarkets and off licences.
• Clothing & Footwear fell due to sales.
• Miscellaneous Goods & Services decreased primarily due to lower motor insurance premiums and a reduction in prices for articles & products for personal care and jewellery, clocks & watches.  This decrease was partially offset by higher health insurance premiums.

Contributions to the overall CPI – monthly change

The divisions which caused the largest upward contribution to the CPI in the month were Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (+0.28%) and Clothing & Footwear (+0.11%).  The divisions which caused the largest downward contribution in the month were Restaurants & Hotels (-0.08%) and Transport (-0.06%).

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

• Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels rose primarily due to higher rents and an increase in the cost of electricity, gas and home heating oil.
• Clothing & Footwear increased due to a recovery from sales.
• Restaurants & Hotels decreased due to lower prices for hotel accommodation.
• Transport fell mainly due to a decrease in airfares and a fall in the cost of services in respect of personal transport equipment. This decrease was partially offset by higher prices for diesel, petrol and motor cars.

CPI sub-indices

The sub index for Services rose by 4.0% in the year to September, while Goods increased by 3.0%.  Services, excluding mortgage interest repayments, increased by 4.0% in the year since September 2020.

The CPI excluding tobacco increased by 0.4% in the month of September and rose by 3.7% in the year.  The CPI excluding mortgage interest increased by 0.4% in the month and rose by 3.8% in the year.

Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices

Prices on average, as measured by the EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), increased by 3.8% compared with September 2020.

The most notable changes in the year were increases in Transport (+11.6%), Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (+10.8%), Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+4.8%) and Restaurants & Hotels (+2.9%).  There were decreases in Clothing & Footwear (-3.1%) and Miscellaneous Goods & Services (-0.8%).

The HICP increased by 0.4% in the month.  This compares to a decrease of 0.4% recorded in September of last year.

The most significant monthly price changes were increases in Clothing & Footwear (+2.8%) and Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (+1.9%).  There were decreases in Restaurants & Hotels (-0.6%) and Transport (-0.4%).

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