The consumer price index (CPI) in May increased just 0.01 per cent against April, the General Statistics Office (GSO) announced on May 29.

The increase was mainly driven by rising prices for food, electricity, and water due to prolonged hot weather.

In the eleven main commodity groups, eight posted month-on-month increases in prices while the remainder saw declines. Prices for housing and construction materials recorded the highest growth, of 1.01 per cent, gas 0.31 per cent, food and catering services 0.24 per cent, and culture, entertainment, and tourism 0.24 per cent.

According to the General Statistics Office, core inflation in May rose 0.27 per cent over April and 4.54 per cent year-on-year. Average core inflation in the first five months of the year increased 4.83 per cent year-on-year, higher than the CPI of 3.55 per cent.