The Consumer Price Index increased by 0,7 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. This was the first time the index has shown prices rising, rather than flatlining or falling since August 2023.

In January, the index fell by the fastest rate in 15 years.

But analysts said the year-on-year gain was partly due to the Lunar New Year, which fell in February this year and in January last year. Based on cycles of the moon, the date of the holiday changes each year.