February 13 (SeeNews) - Romania's consumer prices rose by 3.6% year-on-year in January, compared to an increase of 4% in the previous month, the national statistical office, INS, said on Thursday.
Food prices rose 4.75% year-on-year in January, while non-food prices added 2.68%, INS said in a statement.
Prices of services grew by 4.01% in January.
On a monthly comparison basis, Romania's consumer price index (CPI) rose by 0.41% in January, as food prices were 0.99% higher, non-food prices rose 0.02%, and prices of services edged up by 0.43%.
The average consumer price inflation over the last 12 months was 3.8%, INS said.
Romania's central bank said on Tuesday it has decided to lower its 2020 inflation forecast to 3.0% from 3.1% predicted in November, still inside its target band of 1.5-3.5%.
In 2021, the central bank expects that consumer prices will rise by 3.2%.
On February 7, the central bank decided to keep its monetary policy rate unchanged at 2.50%. The central last changed its key rate in May 2018, increasing it to 2.50% from 2.25%.
(1 euro=4.7662 lei)