This is an unedited press release from Statistisches Bundesamt Deutschland


WIESBADEN– As reported by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), the consumer price index for Germany rose 3.1% in March 2008 on March 2007. Hence the year-on-year rate of price increase again exceeded the 3% threshold for the first time since December 2007 (+3.1%). In January and February 2008, the year-on-year rate amounted to +2.8% each. Compared with February 2008, the index was up 0.5%. The estimate for March 2008 based on the results from six Länder was thus confirmed.

The high year-on-year rate of price increase in March 2008 was again characterised by markedly higher energy prices (motor fuels and household energy). The year-on-year rise in the prices of motor fuels amounted to 12.3% (including supergrade petrol: +9.6% and Diesel fuel: +19.5%). The prices of household energy increased considerably on the same month a year earlier, too. While liquid fuel prices climbed 40.0% and hence saw the highest increase on the previous year, electricity prices rose7.2% and charges for central and remote heating were up 2.3%. Only gas prices were down on March 2007 (−1.1%). Not considering the price trend for energy products, which account for about one tenth of the total expenditure of households, the year-on-year rate of price increase would have been much lower (+2.3%).

The prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages rose an average 8.2% (of which food: +8.6% and non-alcoholic beverages: +5.6%) in March 2008 on a year earlier. Particularly strong price rises were recorded for milk, cheese and eggs (+23.9%) and for oils and fats (+15.9%). Compared to the previous year, consumers also had to pay more for fruit (+11.0%) and for bread and cereals (+8.7%). As regards non-alcoholic beverages, a striking price trend was observed for mineral waters, fruit and vegetable juices and lemonades (+7.1%; including pome fruit juice: +23.2%) (more information you find at the end of this press release).

In education, prices were up 34.8% in March 2008 on a year earlier. The increase was largely attributable to the introduction of tuition fees in several Länder in April 2007. In March 2008, that special effect for the last time had an impact on the year-on-year rate of price increase. Price rises were also recorded in transport (+4.6%; including transport by air: +11.5%). However, price trends on a year earlier remained consumer-friendly for communication (−3.2%, including telephone and telefax equipment: −19.9%).

The 0.5% increase in prices on February 2008 was mainly due to seasonal factors. The clear month-on-month increases observed in the prices of transport by air (+8.0%), accommodation services (+1.2%) and package holidays (+0.8%) were particularly due to the early Easter holidays. As regards the prices of seasonal goods, rises were recorded in particular for liquid fuel (+5.8%) and for clothing and footwear (+1.5%).

The prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages were up an average 0.5% on the previous month. Individual bread and cereal products (+0.7%; including noodles: +1.9%) and confectionery (including chocolate: +1.3%) were again more expensive than a month ago. Apart from the typical seasonal fluctuations in the prices of some fruits and vegetables, month-on-month price declines were observed for fats and oils (−2.2%; including butter: −5.0%) in March 2008.

The harmonised consumer price index (HICP) for Germany, which is calculated for European purposes, rose 3.3% in March 2008 on March 2007. The HICP estimate of 28 March 2008 was thus slightly revised upwards. Compared with the previous month, the index was up 0.5%.


Available at:

http://www.destatis.de/jetspeed/portal/cms/Sites/destatis/Internet/EN/press/pr/2008/04/PE08__151__611,templateId=renderPrint.psml