SKOPJE, Sept. 10 -- North Macedonia's Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 2.2 percent year-on-year in August, partly driven by the increased demand and consumption from holidaymakers during the summer, the State Statistics Office (SSO) reported on Tuesday.

The monthly increase in CPI for August was 0.5 percent, according to the SSO.

Prices for restaurants and hotels, health services, alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics, as well as recreation and cultural activities, were the primary contributors to the increase in inflation.

According to the SSO's breakdown, accommodation services surged by 47.3 percent, while prices for package holidays and wine rose by 16.1 percent and 11.4 percent, respectively.

In contrast, stable energy costs helped ease inflationary pressures. Costs for electricity, gas, and other fuels decreased by 1.3 percent, with prices for liquid fuels dropping significantly by 8.7 percent. Additionally, thanks to lower prices for fuel and lubricants, transportation costs fell by 1.2 percent.

  - Xinhua