The annual inflation rate in Greece was 2.5% in July, from 1.8% in June and 11.6% in July 2022, with the food price index rising to 12.3% from 12.2% over the same months, respectively, Hellenic Statistical Authority said on Tuesday.
The statistics service said the consumer price index was down 1.1% in July from June 2023.
More specifically, solid fuels recorded a 26.6% increase in prices, followed by fruit (19.4%) and vegetables (15.5%), while natural gas (-68.9%), electricity (-16.2%) and fuel (-15.6%) recorded the biggest percentage decline.
The average consumer price index was up 6.2% in the August 2022-July 2023 period compared with the same period in 2021-2022.
Meanwhile, salaries in the public sector, pensions and family benefits are to increase under the new budget for 2024, based on a circular sent by Deputy National Economy Minister Thanos Petralias to ministry services, which provides for an increase in public-sector spending of 4.0 billion euros.
The General Government budget limit is to increase to 72.7 billion euros from 68.7 billion euros in 2023, while the upper limit for regular budget spending will rise to 68.78 billion euros, to which will be added 6.9 billion euros in spending to cover loan obligations in 2024, from 5.1 billion euros in 2023.
The funds for investments financed from the Public Investments Programme will rise to 8.0 billion euros, while 4.34 billion euros will be given via the Recovery fund.
There will also be a 900-million-euro increase in spending on social transfers, which include salaries, pensions, benefits and subsidies and an increase on health and education by 400 million euros and 180 million euros, respectively.
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