The inflation rate for the whole of 2011 stood at 5.81 percent, the Statistics and Census Service announced today.

This is a sharp increase over the previous year, when inflation stood at 2.81 percent.

The rising inflation rate was attributable to higher charges for meals bought away from home, and dearer prices of clothing and gasoline.

In 2011, notable increases were observed in transport, up by 8.75 percent, food and non-alcoholic beverages (+8.14%), and clothing and footwear (+6.73%).

Prices for December increased by 6.81 percent year-on-year and 0.74 percent month-to-month.