Inflation went up only 0.73% last month, the second-lowest January inflation numbers in a decade. Dropping costs in clothing, transportation and communications helped keep the numbers low.

Food costs, however, continue to rise. The cost of food and non-alcoholic drinks went up 0.94%, meaning that for the last 12 months alone food prices have gone up 20.54%.

Increases in the costs of housing and education were also steep, coming in at 2.40% and 3.13%, respectively.

Cumulative inflation for the last 12-month period remains above 10%. The Central Bank has set its inflation target for 2008 at 8%, plus or minus one point.