Definitely a 2011 to forget for the wallets of Italian families. Istat data published this morning shows that in the year just ended inflation recorded a sharp increase, with an average annual rate of 2,8% compared to 1,5% in 2010. The figure is the highest since 2008, the year of the collapse of Leaman Brothers, when inflation was 3,3%.
2012 therefore inherits an average annual inflation rate of 2011% from 1,3, which will remain unchanged should zero cyclical changes occur during the year.
The shopping cart is also at its highest since 2008. The prices of frequently purchased products recorded an average annual value of 3,5%, a sharp increase compared to 2% in 2010 – in 2008 the figure was 4,8%.
The hipca, the harmonized index of consumer prices, which measures the cost of living of the average consumer, it is up to 2,9% from 1,6% in 2010. It also increases the national consumer price index for blue- and white-collar households (Foi), at an average annual rate of 2,7% in 2011 excluding tobacco.
