Prices have risen by 6.4 per cent from April last year to April this year. This is shown by the consumer price index which was presented today by Statistics Norway. The index is an overview of the price increase of goods and services purchased by households. It is the average of changes in all price categories that is reflected in the CPI. Core inflation rose by 6.3 per cent in the same period. – Price growth is still high, but in recent months we have seen signs of a flattening, says section manager Espen Kristiansen at Statistics Norway. The index is often used as a measure of inflation. Historically high interest rate Last week, the central bank raised the key interest rate from 3 to 3.25 per cent. This is the highest interest rate level in 15 years. Changes in the key interest rate affect activity in the economy, and therefore also inflation. Norges Bank wishes to keep inflation stable at 2 per cent. One of the tools they have to curb price inflation is to adjust the key interest rate. From March last year to March this year, prices in Norway rose by 6.2 per cent, according to Statistics Norway. – There are still many different product and service groups that contribute significantly to the high price increase. In addition to the prices of food, the prices of cars, electricity, house rent and restaurant services are also helping to keep price growth up, said section manager Espen Kristiansen at Statistics Norway when the index for March was presented.
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