Inflation in Catalonia in August remains high but drops slightly to 10.2%
Second-highest rate since 2002 due to cost of electricity, gas, fuel and food
Inflation in Catalonia stood at 10.2% in August, down from 10.3% in July, according to figures released by Spain's National Statistics Institute on Tuesday morning.
This is the second-highest rate in Catalonia since 2002 when records began, and it is primarily driven by the cost of electricity, gas, fuel, and food.
In particular, housing, water, electricity, gas and fuels were 22.6% more expensive in August than they were the same month a year earlier.
The cost of food has also gone up notably: 12.1% year-on-year.
10.5% inflation in Spain
Across Spain, inflation was 10.5% in August, down from 10.8% in July but still higher than forecasted.
Housing costs increased by a staggering 24.8% mainly due to soaring energy prices, while transport was 11.5% more expensive than a year ago and food was up 13.8% year-on-year – the highest price hike since January 1994.
As for specific food items that have gone up the most, these include milk (+26%), cheese (+14.6%), eggs (+22.4%), meat (+15.2%), flour and cereal (+39%), oil (+13.2%), and legumes (14.8%).