Year-on-year, prices of transportation climbed 1.9 percent, the biggest rise since October 2012, mainly boosted by a 10.7 percent increase in petrol prices. Additional upward pressure came from: Food and non-alcoholic beverages (+0.6 percent from +0.5 percent in November); miscellaneous goods and services (+0.4 percent from a flat reading); housing and utilities (+0.6 percent from +0.3 percent); restaurants and hotels (+1.9 percent from +1.8 percent); and recreation and culture (+0.9 percent from +1.2 percent). By contrast, cost fell for clothing and footwear (-0.9 percent from -1.4 percent in November) and health (-0.8 percent from -0.6 percent).
The annual core inflation rate, which excludes energy and unprocessed food products components, was recorded at 0.5 percent compared to 0.4 percent in the previous month.
On a monthly basis, consumer prices were unchanged, following a 0.5 percent drop last month and below market consensus of a 0.5 percent rise.
The harmonized consumer price index increased by 0.9 percent year-on-year and was flat from the previous month.
The average annual inflation figure was 0.6 percent in 2016 compared with 0.5 percent in 2015.