A. M. 
Courtesy
The Oficina Nacional de Estadística y Censos (ONEC) reported that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) registered a decrease of -0.16% in december 2024, placing the overall index at 129.71 points. At annual level, the variation was 0.29%, which reflects a stability in prices during the year, with an identical accumulated.
The report highlights that some sectors presented decreases in their prices compared to the previous year. Among them, food and non-alcoholic beverages registered a reduction of -0.47%, furniture and household items fell -2.18%, transportation decreased -1.58%, communications decreased -0.39%, and recreation showed the largest decrease with -2.51%.
Some items experienced price increases. Alcoholic beverages rose by 1.21%, while the lodging, water and electricity sector increased by 2.07%. The largest increase was in restaurants, with an increase of 3.86%, followed by goods and services with 1.31%.
These price changes reflect market dynamics and the impact of various economic factors. Reductions in key sectors such as food and transportation may have eased the cost of living for some consumers, while increases in services and essential products may have put pressure on household spending.
As the year comes to a close, economic authorities will be attentive to the evolution of prices in 2025, evaluating measures to maintain stability and avoid abrupt fluctuations that could affect the economy and the purchasing power of the population.
