The annual rate of inflation decreased in December 2023 to 6.61%, from 6.72% in November, as food goods prices rose by 5.82%, non-food goods by 5.51%, and services by 11.21%, according to the data of the National Institute of Statistics, published on Friday.

“The consumer price index in December 2023 compared to November 2023 was of 100.26%. The annual inflation rate in December 2023 compared to December 2022 was 6.6%. The average rate of change in consumer prices in the last 12 months (January 2023 – December 2023) compared to the previous 12 months (January 2022 – December 2022) was of 10.4%,” states the INS, according to Agerpres.

According to the cited source, the harmonized index of consumer prices in December 2023 compared to November 2023 was of 100.22%.

The annual inflation rate in December 2023 compared to December 2022 calculated on the basis of the harmonized index of consumer prices (HICP) was 7.%. The average rate of change in consumer prices over the last 12 months (January 2023 – December 2023) compared to the previous 12 months (January 2022 – December 2022) determined on the basis of the HICP was 9.7%.

The National Bank of Romania (BNR) maintained the inflation forecast for 2023 at 7.5% and increased it to 4.8% for the end of 2024, according to the data presented in November by the governor of the BNR, Mugur Isărescu. In August 2023, the BNR estimated inflation of 7.5% for the end of 2023 and 4.4% for the end of 2024.