The monthly inflation in February compared to January, according to the preliminary estimate of the National Statistical Institute (NSI), is 0.3 percent, and the annual inflation is 3.3 percent based on the consumer price index.

Price increases are primarily observed in the services sector. The largest increase is in recreation, sports, and culture - 15.3 percent. The second group with increased prices is restaurant and hotel services with 9.1 percent, and the third is educational services with an increase of 8.6 percent.

The next group with increased prices is that of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products - with 6.2 percent.

Healthcare has a reduced average price of 4 percent, information and communications show a decrease of 3 percent, and transportation - of 1.9 percent.

Compared to other countries in the Eurozone in February this year compared to February last year, based on the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), inflation in Bulgaria is 2 percent, and the average for the Eurozone is 1.9 percent.

Regarding monthly inflation based on HICP, Bulgaria reports that in February it was only 0.1 percent, with inflation being lower only in Cyprus, while in Slovakia and Portugal it is equal to that in Bulgaria.