Israel’s consumer price index rose 1.2% in April

The greatest influence on the increase in the price index in April was the rise in price of fresh fruit by 7.8%, the rise in price of transport by 4.9%, the rise in price of entertainment and cultural events by 3.4%, the rise in price of clothing and footwear by 2.4%. Housing costs increased by 0.5%, but healthcare services fell in price – albeit only by 0.1%.

In the housing rental sector, tenants who renewed their apartment rental agreement paid 2.6% more, according to the Central Bank, while new tenants who entered into the first agreement paid 3.6% more.

The price index for building materials for housing construction increased by 1.1% in April. Since the beginning of the year, this figure has increased by 1.6%, and over the past 12 months – by 3%. Spending on wages in the construction industry, according to the Central Bank, increased by 4.7% over the year, and by 0.9% in April alone.

The most noticeable increases in price were: waterproofing materials – by 13.8%; concrete products – by 4.1%; paints – by 3.6%; facing stone – by 2.5%; ready-mixed concrete – by 2.4%; construction fittings – by 2.3%. At the same time, prices for metal mesh and frames decreased by 1.1%.