In October 2022, monthly inflation in Bulgaria measured by the consumer price index (CPI) was 0.9% compared to September, and the annual inflation rate in October 2022 compared to October 2021 was 17.6%, the National Statistical Institute reported.
The inflation rate since the beginning of the year (October 2022 compared to December 2021) was 15.0%, and the annual average inflation rate for November 2021 - October 2022 period compared to the November 2020 - October 2021 period was 13.8%.
In October 2022, the prices of consumer goods and services increased from September for clothing and footwear (by 7.0%), recreation and culture (by 2.7%), food and non-alcoholic beverages (2.3%), health (2.1%), education (1.4%), miscellaneous goods and services (1.0%), restaurants and hotels (0.8%), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (0.4%), and furnishings, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house (0.4%).
In October 2022, the prices of consumer goods and services decreased from September for housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (by 2.1%), transport (1.4%), and communications (0.1%).
According to the harmonized index of consumer prices, the monthly inflation rate was 0.6% in October 2022 compared to September, and the annual inflation rate in October 2022 compared to October 2021 was 14.8%.
According to the small basket price index, which measures the relative average price changes of 100 socially useful and vital living goods and services, prices rose by 1.9% in October 2022 on a monthly basis and prices decreased by 19.7% since the beginning of the year (October 2022 compared to December 2021).
In October 2022, compared to September, the prices of goods and services in the small basket for 20% of the lowest-income households changed as follows: non-food product prices increased by 3.0%, food product prices increased by 2.0%, and the prices of services increased by 0.1%.