Inflation decreased by 0.32% in the first half of 2024, excluding increases in excise taxes, compared to the previous half-year period (July-December 2023).

Specifically, according to data released by the Statistical Service, the Consumer Price Index, excluding excise tax increases, reached 112.41 points during January-June 2024, marking a 0.32% decline compared to the previous period.

In comparison to the same half-year period in 2023, inflation, excluding excise tax increases, recorded a 2.2% rise in the first half of 2024.

Employment in the broader industrial sector increased by 3% in 2022 compared to 2021, while the production value of the entire industrial sector rose by 21.2% at current prices, according to data from the Statistical Service.

Specifically, the results of the 2022 Industrial Survey, published by the Statistical Service, indicate that employment in the broader industrial sector grew by 3% to 42.1 thousand in 2022, compared to 40.9 thousand in 2021.

In manufacturing, 37.1 thousand were employed, in mining and quarrying 0.6 thousand, in electricity supply 2.2 thousand, and in water supply, sewage treatment, and waste management also 2.2 thousand people.

In the entire industrial sector, the production value at current prices increased by 21.2% to €6,581.7 million in 2022, compared to €5,430.7 million in 2021.

According to the Statistical Service, the production value in manufacturing increased by 12.7% to €4,509.7 million, in electricity supply by 52.1% to €1,437.2 million, in water supply, sewage treatment, and waste management by 16.9% to €477.5 million, and in mining and quarrying by 110.8% to €157.2 million.

Additionally, the added value at current prices increased by 7.2% across the entire industrial sector, reaching €2,018.9 million in 2022 from €1,882.5 million in 2021.

In manufacturing, the added value increased by 3.7% to €1,472.5 million, in electricity supply by 25.4% to €303.0 million, in water supply, sewage treatment, and waste management by 4.6% to €199.0 million, and in mining and quarrying by 43.8% to €44.5 million.