According to the report of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC), attached to the Comptroller General of the Republic, the increase of 1,0% in the transportation sector and 0,6% in food and non-alcoholic beverages had an impact on the stage.

There was also an increase in housing, water, electricity and gas (0,2%); and restaurants and hotels (0,1%). On the other hand, areas such as education decreased by 0,7%; health (-0,6%); alcoholic beverages and tobacco (-0,5%); clothing and footwear (0,2%); and furniture, household articles and items for ordinary household maintenance and communications, both by -0,1%.

The inter-annual variation of -0,2% is due to the fall in prices in the groups of communications, health, clothing and footwear, recreation and culture, among others, while those of alcoholic beverages and tobacco, restaurants and hotels, as well as food and non-alcoholic beverages went up, the statement said.

Inflation in Panama closed last year with a cumulative annual rate of 0,7% and a year-on-year rate of -0,2%, due to the downward trend in the prices of communications, clothing and footwear, and health, according to INEC.

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