National statistics bureau Istat confirmed on Monday that Italy's year-on-year inflation rate rose to 1.7% last month compared to 1.6% in August.
The hike in inflation, back to its June level, came despite the fact that there was no variation in the consumer price index from August to September.
The greatest monthly price increases were for education, food and non-alcoholic beverages, which climbed 1.5% and 0.8% respectively.
Compared to September 2006, the biggest price jumps were for education (+3.1%); food and non-alcoholic beverages (+2.9%); furniture and homes furnishings (+2.8%); miscellaneous goods and services (+2.5%); alcoholic beverages and tobacco products (+2.4%); restaurants and bars services (+2.4%).
In the food category, prices for bread soared 7.5% over September of last year, with a 4.2% spike over August, while pasta prices leapt 4.5%.
The following table shows the monthly variation in Istat's cost of living index and the annual inflation rate since January 2006.
monthly % var. annual % var.
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JANUARY 2006 +0.2 +2.2
FEBRUARY +0.2 +2.1
MARCH +0.2 +2.1
APRIL +0.3 +2.2
MAY +0.3 +2.2
JUNE +0.1 +2.3
JULY +0.3 +2.2
AUGUST +0.2 +2.2
SEPTEMBER -0.1 +2.1
OCTOBER -0.1 +1.8
NOVEMBER +0.1 +1.8
DECEMBER +0.1 +1.9
JANUARY 2007 +0.1 +1.7
FEBRUARY +0.4 +1.9
MARCH +0.2 +1.7
APRIL +0.2 +1.5
MAY +0.4 +1.6
JUNE +0.2 +1.7
JULY +0.2 +1.6
AUGUST +0.2 +1.6
SEPTEMBER 0.0 +1.7.
