December Inflation Slowed to 6.5%

Washington, DC, January 12, 2023-The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) declined 0.1% in December on a seasonally adjusted basis, after increasing 0.1% in November, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. 

Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 6.5% before seasonal adjustment.

The index for gasoline was by far the largest contributor to the monthly all items decrease, more than offsetting increases in shelter indexes. The food index increased 0.3% over the month with the food at home index rising 0.2%. The energy index decreased 4.5% over the month as the gasoline index declined; other major energy component indexes increased over the month.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.3% in December, after rising 0.2% in November. Indexes which increased in December include the shelter, household furnishings and

operations, motor vehicle insurance, recreation, and apparel indexes. The indexes for used cars and trucks, and airline fares were among those that decreased over the month.

The all items index increased 6.5% for the 12 months ending December; this was the smallest

12-month increase since the period ending October 2021. The all items less food and energy index rose 5.7% over the last 12 months. The energy index increased 7.3% for the 12 months ending December, and the food index increased 10.4% over the last year; all of these increases were smaller than for the 12-month period ending November.