In December 2021 the Consumer Price Index increased by 0.3 percent compared to the previous month, while the annual inflation rate amounted to 13.9 percent, the National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat) says. 

Geostat states that with regard to the annual core inflation, the prices increased by 5.9 percent, while the annual core inflation without tobacco amounted to 6.0 percent. 

The monthly inflation rate was mainly influenced by price changes for the following groups: Food and non-alcoholic beverages: the prices for the group increased by 0.8 percent, contributing 0.27 percentage points to the overall monthly index change. 

The prices were higher for the following subgroups: fish (2.3 percent), sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and confectionery (2.0 percent), milk, cheese and eggs (1.9 percent), vegetables (1.8 percent), oils and fats (0.9 percent). Along with this, the prices decreased for fruit and grapes (-0.7 percent); Restaurants and hotels: the prices for the group posted a 0.9 percent increase, with the relevant contribution of 0.06 percentage points to the monthly inflation rate. Within the group the prices were higher for catering services (1.2 percent); Clothing and footwear: the prices for the group decreased for a 1.4 percent, with the relevant contribution of -0.05 percentage points to the monthly inflation rate. Within the group, the prices were lower for both footwear (-2.4 percent) and clothing (-0.7 percent). The following table shows percentage changes in prices for the commodity groups of the consumer basket, as well as the relevant contributions to the overall annual inflation rate in December 2021.

The annual inflation rate was mainly influenced by price changes for the following groups: Food and non-alcoholic beverages: the prices in the group increased by 15.6 percent, contributing 5.01 percentage points to the overall annual inflation rate. 

Within the group the prices increased for the following subgroups: oils and fats (24.5 percent), vegetables (20.7 percent), bread and cereals (20.2 percent), sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and confectionery (19.8 percent), fish (16.5 percent), milk, cheese and eggs (15.3 percent), mineral waters, soft drinks, fruit and vegetable juices (13.5 percent), fruit and grapes (10.5 percent), meat (10.2 percent), coffee, tea and cocoa (6.1 percent); Transport: the prices increased by 17.3 percent, contributing 2.24 percentage points to the annual inflation rate. Within the group the prices increased for operation of personal transport equipment (24.9 percent); Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels: the prices for the group posted a 43.5 percent increase, which contributed 3.64 percentage points to the annual inflation rate. 

The prices were higher for the following subgroups: water supply and miscellaneous services relating to the dwelling (64.7 percent), electricity, gas and other fuels (64.4 percent), maintenance and repair of the dwelling (8.0 percent). In the same period prices were lower for actual rentals for housing (-3.1 percent).