Over the year, the average level of consumer prices rose by 1.4 %

The latest data of the Central Statistical Bureau show that in September 2024, compared to September 2023, the average level of consumer prices* increased by 1.4 %.

Compared to September 2023, in September 2024 the average level of consumer prices was mainly influenced by the rise in prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages (1.2 percentage points), alcoholic beverages and tobacco products (0.5 percentage points), health care (0.4 percentage points), as well as drop in prices of goods and services related to housing (0.9 percentage points) and goods and services related to transport (0.8 percentage points).

Over the year, prices within the group of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 4.5 %. Price rise of fresh vegetables (22.0 %) and fresh fruit (9.6 %) had the strongest upward influence on the average price level within the group. Growth was recorded in prices of chocolate (16.0 %), olive oil (30.0 %), butter (16.6 %), bakery products (5.0 %), milk (7.4 %), poultry (4.3 %), coffee (4.2 %), cheese and curd (3.4 %). Prices increased for milk products (3.9 %), fruit and vegetable juices (10.3 %), preserved or processed fish and seafood-based preparations (9.3 %), potatoes (8.5 %). In turn, fall was registered in prices of sugar (19.7 %), flours and other cereals (8.8 %).

The average level of alcoholic beverage and tobacco product prices rose by 7.3 %. Over the year average increase of 13.1 % was observed in prices of tobacco products. As prices of spirits, wine and beer went up, prices of alcoholic beverages increased by 4.3 %.

Average price level of goods and services related to housing fell by 4.8 %. Over the year, the most significant drop in the prices was for heat energy (12.7 %) and electricity (11.9 %). Prices went down for natural gas (7.6 %) and solid fuels (4.7 %). In turn, maintenance charges in multi-occupied buildings (6.7 %), refuse collection (14.8 %), rentals for housing (5.9 %), water supply (6.8 %), services for the maintenance and repair of the dwelling (5.2 %), sewage collection (5.4 %) became more expensive.

The average level of health care prices grew by 6.0 %. Over the year, prices of pharmaceutical products, dental services, prices in medical specialist practice, services of medical analysis laboratories and x-ray centres went up.

Prices of goods and services related to transport reduced by 5.9 %, which was affected by the fall in prices of fuels for transport by 13.1 %. Prices of diesel went down by 14.3 %, of petrol – by 14.3 %, while of auto gas – went up by 8.5 %. Over the year, drop in prices was registered for passenger transport by air and second-hand motor cars. In turn, increase was observed in prices of maintenance and repair of personal transport equipment, passenger transport by road.

Prices of goods and services related to recreation and culture rose by 5.1 %, as prices of recreational and sporting services, flowers, television subscription fee, pet food, newspapers and magazines went up. In turn, prices of personal computers fell.

Among other commodity groups, the most notable rise was registered in prices of telecommunication services, garments, restaurant and café services, higher education, household cleaning and maintenance products, articles for personal hygiene and beauty products.

Over the month, the average level of consumer prices rose by 0.3 %.

Compared to August 2024, in September 2024 the average level of consumer prices increased by 0.3 %. Rise in prices of clothing and footwear (0.2 percentage points), food and non-alcoholic beverages (0.2 percentage points), within miscellaneous goods and services group (0.1 percentage point), goods and services related to recreation and culture (0.1 percentage point), as well as drop in prices of goods and services related to transport (0.5 percentage points) contributed the most to the price level changes.

Over the month, prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages grew by 0.7 %. Price rise of fresh vegetables (6.8 %) and fresh fruit (5.5 %) had the strongest upward influence on the average price level. Growth was recorded in prices of chocolate (4.5 %), coffee (1.9 %), butter (2.8 %). Due to the end of special offers, prices increased for cheese and curd (1.7 %), eggs (4.6 %), poultry (1.9 %), pasta products (4.2 %), olive oil (4.1 %), milk (1.0 %), milk products (0.7 %) and sugar (3.8 %). In turn, prices of potatoes (13.8 %), pork (1.9 %), flours and other cereals (3.1 %), vegetable oil (4.1 %) fell. Sales campaigns led to the drop in prices of bread (1.3 %) and fresh or chilled fish (10.6 %).

Prices within clothing and footwear group rose by 3.4 %. With the autumn season’s collections entering the market, prices of garments increased by 3.4 %, of footwear – by 4.3 %.

Within the furnishings group prices rose on average by 1.7 %. Due to the end of sales, increase was recorded in prices of household cleaning and maintenance products and household furniture.

Prices of goods and services related to transport decreased by 3.7 %, which was mainly affected by the fall in prices of fuels for transport by 4.8 %. Prices of diesel reduced by 4.6 %, of petrol by 6.1 %, but of auto gas – increased by 2.6 %. Prices of passenger transport by air, passenger transport by road and sea also went down.

Prices of goods and services related to recreation and culture rose by 1.4 %, as prices of recreational and sporting services, cultural services, newspapers and magazines as well as fiction books increased. In turn, prices of package holidays went down.

With the beginning of the new school year, rise was registered in prices of higher education (8.2 %), pre-primary and primary education (1.8 %).

Within the miscellaneous goods and services group prices increased by 2.9 %. Affected by the end of sales campaigns, prices of articles for personal hygiene and beauty products went up.

Among other commodity groups, the most notable rise was registered in prices of refuse collection, telecommunication services, spirits, medical specialist practice, heat energy. In turn, prices of hotel services and electricity reduced.

Price changes by commodity group

(as per cent)

Compared to 2015, in September 2024 consumer prices were 45.8 % higher. Prices of goods increased by 44.6 % and prices of services by 47.2 %.

Information on consumer price changes in October 2024 will be published on 8 November.

*The annual inflation reflects consumer price changes, comparing the average price level in the comparison month with the average price level in the corresponding month of the previous year.

Media requests:
Communication Section
E-mail: media@csp.gov.lv
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More information on the data:
Nataļja Dubkova
Consumer Price Indices Section
E-mail: Natalja.Dubkova@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 67366644