WASHINGTON: The inflation rate stood at 4.2% in 2016. It has been rising since the beginning of the year (3.5% in January) and reached its highest levels during the two months of September and December (4.2%) and its lowest levels in July (3.7%) and October (3.9%), according to the latest statistics published by the National Institute of Statistics (INS). Compared with the 2010 base year, inflation was 4.1% in 2015, 4.8% in 2014 and 5.7% in 2013.
The rise in the inflation rate is due in particular to the increase in prices of the food and drinks group by 3.2% compared with 2015 due to the growth in prices of fruit and dried fruits by 11.1%, edible oils, fish and vegetables by 9%, 8.4% and 5.4%, , respectively. This increase is also due to a 2.2% rise in pastry prices and cereal derivatives by 1.6%, compared with a 2.5% decline in meat prices. Prices for beverages were up 5.2% due to higher prices for mineral water, soft drinks and juices by 7.4%. Prices of the alcoholic beverages and tobacco group decreased by 0.8% in 2016, compared to 2015, as a result of lower prices for alcoholic beverages by 9.5%.
