The index of consumer prices in Bulgaria in July 2010 against June 2010 is 100.4 per cent, putting monthly inflation at 0.4 per cent, the National Statistical Institute said on Thursday.

Inflation so far this year (July 2010 against December 2009) is 1.9 per cent, and annual inflation (July 2010 against July 2009) is 2.4 per cent. Average annual inflation in August 2009 to July 2010 against August 2008 to July 2009 is 1 per cent.

Food and non-alcoholic drink prices in July 2010 remained unchanged from the previous month.

A price increase was registered for alcoholic drinks and tobacco products, by 0.2 per cent; for housing rent, maintenance and utility services, by 1.2 per cent; for health care, by 0.1 per cent; for transport,
by 0.4 per cent; for leisure services, by 4.7 per cent; for education, by 0.2 per cent; and for restaurant and hotel
services, by 0.3 per cent.

Prices decreased for apparel and footwear, by 0.9 per cent; for home furnishing and household appliances, by 0.1 per cent, and for communications, by 0.4 per cent.

The harmonized index of consumer prices (an index compiled according to a methodology that has been harmonized across EU countries) in July 2010 against June 2010 is 100.5 per cent, putting monthly inflation at 0.5 per cent.

Inflation so far this year (July 2010 against December 2009) is 2.5 per cent, and annual inflation (July 2010 against July 2009) is 3.2 per cent. Average annual inflation in August 2009 to July 2010 against August 2008 to July 2009 is 1.8 per cent.