Press release No. 255 of 12 July 2018
Consumer price index, June 2018
• +2.1% on the same month a year earlier (provisional result confirmed)
• +0.1% on the previous month (provisional result confirmed)
Harmonised index of consumer prices, June 2018
• +2.1% on the same month a year earlier (provisional result confirmed)
• +0.1% on the previous month (provisional result confirmed)
WIESBADEN - Consumer prices in Germany were 2.1% higher in June 2018 than in June 2017. The inflation rate – measured by the consumer price index – thus was higher than two percent for the second consecutive month (May 2018: +2.2%). Previously, an inflation rate of over two percent had been recorded in February 2017 (+2.2%). Compared with May 2018, the consumer price index rose by 0.1% in June 2018. The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) thus confirms its provisional overall results of 28 June 2018.
The development of energy product prices had a considerable effect on the inflation rate in June 2018. The year-on-year increase in energy prices (+6.4%) was still higher than in May 2018: (+5.1%). In particular heating oil prices rose from June 2017 to June 2018 (+30.3%), which was mainly due to the relatively low prices a year earlier (statistical base effect). Motor fuel prices, too, were up on a year earlier (+11.3%). The price changes for the other energy products were much smaller (e.g. electricity: +1.2%; charges for central and district heating: +0.9%; gas: –1.6%). Excluding energy prices, the inflation rate would have been +1.6% in June 2018.
Food prices rose above average (+3.4%) from June 2017 to June 2018. The inflation rate for food thus was over three percent for the third month in a row. Price increases in June 2018 compared with the same month a year earlier affected all food groups. Prices were up on a year earlier especially for edible fats and oils (+14.4%, including butter: +26.1%). Consumers paid markedly more also for fruit (+7.2%) and dairy products and eggs (+4.8%). Excluding food and energy prices, the inflation rate would have been +1.4% in June 2018.
The prices of goods (total) increased by 2.8% in June 2018 on a year earlier, which was mainly due to the rise in energy prices (+6.4%) and food prices (+3.4%). Significant year-on-year price increases were also recorded for other goods such as newspapers and periodicals (+4.8%), beer (+4.1%) and tobacco products (+3.7%). Prices were down for consumer electronics (–4.9%) and information processing equipment (–4.5%), among other things.
Prices of services (total) rose by 1.5% in June 2018 on a year earlier; this price increase was smaller than the one recorded for goods. A major factor contributing to the increase in service prices was the development of net rents exclusive of heating expenses (+1.6%), as households spend a large part of their consumption expenditure on this item. Also, there were notable price increases for the maintenance and repair of vehicles (+3.2%), services of social facilities (+3.1%) and catering services in restaurants, cafes and the like (+2.2%). Consumers benefited of lower prices of air tickets (–4.2%) and telecommunications services (–0.7%), among other things.
Change in June 2018 on May 2018
Compared with May 2018, the consumer price index increased by 0.1% in June 2018. Marked seasonal price increases on the previous month were recorded for air tickets (+2.7%), package holidays (+2.5%) and accommodation services (+1.4%).
Also, energy prices were up 0.5% on the previous month. Consumers paid more especially for motor fuels (+1.5%, including supergrade petrol: +1.5%, diesel fuel: +1.6%). Prices of household energy remained nearly unchanged (–0.1%, including gas: –0.6%; electricity: 0.0%; charges for central and district heating: +0.4%).
Food prices fell 0.3% in June 2018 compared with the previous month. Different price developments were observed for individual food groups. Prices were down especially for fruit and vegetables (–1.7% each). Consumers also benefited from slightly lower prices of meat and meat products (–0.3%). Prices were up for edible fats and oils (+3.0%); especially butter prices rose again (+4.8% on May 2018). Also, month-on-month price decreases were recorded for clothing (–2.9%) and footwear (–1.3%), sometimes as a result of first discounts given on spring and summer articles.
| Overall index ________ Year / Month | Index 2010 = 100 | Change on the same period a year earlier | Change on the previous month | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in per cent | ||||
| A = annual average –= no figures or magnitude zero | ||||
| 2016 A | 107.4 | 0.5 | − | |
| 2017 A | 109.3 | 1.8 | − | |
| 2017 | June | 109.0 | 1.6 | 0.2 |
| July | 109.4 | 1.7 | 0.4 | |
| August | 109.5 | 1.8 | 0.1 | |
| September | 109.6 | 1.8 | 0.1 | |
| October | 109.6 | 1.6 | 0.0 | |
| November | 109.9 | 1.8 | 0.3 | |
| December | 110.6 | 1.7 | 0.6 | |
| 2018 | January | 109.8 | 1.6 | –0.7 |
| February | 110.3 | 1.4 | 0.5 | |
| March | 110.7 | 1.6 | 0.4 | |
| April | 110.7 | 1.6 | 0.0 | |
| May | 111.2 | 2.2 | 0.5 | |
| June | 111.3 | 2.1 | 0.1 | |
| Overall index / subindex | Weighting | Index 2010 = 100 | Change on the same period a year earlier | Change on the preceding month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in per mill | in per cent | |||
| Overall index | 1,000.00 | 111.3 | 2.1 | 0.1 |
| Food and non-alcoholic beverages | 102.71 | 119.3 | 3.2 | –0.3 |
| Food | 90.52 | 119.7 | 3.4 | –0.3 |
| Meat | 20.76 | 117.6 | 2.3 | –0.3 |
| Fruit | 8.76 | 138.0 | 7.2 | –1.7 |
| Vegetables | 11.26 | 109.4 | 2.9 | –1.7 |
| Alcoholic beverages and tobacco | 37.59 | 123.5 | 3.3 | 0.7 |
| Clothing and footwear | 44.93 | 108.2 | 0.8 | –2.3 |
| Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels | 317.29 | 111.6 | 2.1 | 0.1 |
| Net rent exclusive of heating expenses | 209.93 | 111.5 | 1.6 | 0.2 |
| Household energy | 68.19 | 112.9 | 4.1 | –0.1 |
| Electricity | 26.21 | 129.3 | 1.2 | 0.0 |
| Gas | 14.46 | 101.9 | – 1.6 | – 0.6 |
| Heating oil | 11.11 | 104.1 | 30.3 | – 0.4 |
| Furnishings, household equipment and so on | 49.78 | 105.1 | 0.9 | 0.1 |
| Health | 44.44 | 108.4 | 1.3 | 0.0 |
| Transport | 134.73 | 111.4 | 4.1 | 0.5 |
| Motor fuels | 38.37 | 104.6 | 11.3 | 1.5 |
| Supergrade petrol | 28.38 | 104.5 | 9.9 | 1.5 |
| Diesel fuel | 9.19 | 106.0 | 16.5 | 1.6 |
| Communication | 30.10 | 89.2 | –0.6 | 0.0 |
| Recreation and culture | 114.92 | 108.9 | 1.1 | 0.6 |
| Package holidays | 26.83 | 109.2 | 0.2 | 2.5 |
| Education | 8.80 | 98.1 | 2.9 | 0.0 |
| Restaurants and hotels | 44.67 | 118.3 | 2.2 | 0.4 |
| Miscellaneous goods and services | 70.04 | 110.4 | 0.8 | 0.0 |
| Overall index | ||||
| Excluding food and energy | 802.92 | 110.5 | 1.4 | 0.1 |
| Excluding energy (household energy and motor fuels) | 893.44 | 111.5 | 1.6 | 0.1 |
| Excluding heating oil and motor fuels | 950.52 | 111.7 | 1.6 | 0.1 |
| Goods | 479.77 | 111.3 | 2.8 | –0.2 |
| Non-durable consumer goods | 307.89 | 115.4 | 4.1 | 0.2 |
| Energy | 106.56 | 109.9 | 6.4 | 0.5 |
| Services | 520.23 | 111.3 | 1.5 | 0.3 |
Harmonised index of consumer prices for Germany
The harmonised index of consumer prices (HICP) for Germany, which is calculated for European purposes, rose by 2.1% in June 2018 on June 2017. Thus the index exceeded again the two-percent threshold, which is important for the monetary policy of the European Central Bank (May 2018: +2.2%). Compared with May 2018, the HICP increased by 0.1% in June 2018. This confirmed the HICP estimates of 28 June 2018.
More information on consumer price statistics is provided by Fachserie 17, Reihe 7.
Detailed data and long time series of consumer price statistics can also be found in the Genesis Online database in tables 61111-0004 and 61111-0006 (consumer price index) as well as in tables 61121-0002 and 61121-0004 (harmonised consumer price index).
Under dpa-video we will offer broadcast-ready original-sound video material (only in german) on this press release (Clean Feed), starting at 8:30 a.m. at the latest. To use the download function in various resolutions, you have to register free of charge on the video platform. After you have registered, the video material of the Federal Statistical Office will be available rights-free and free of charge for use in the context of editorial coverage.
Speaker in the original-sound video: Klaus Pötzsch, Federal Statistical Office
