Recent developments show Rosstat inviting bids on a study about including housing service costs in the inflation measurement. This approach, confirmed by Izvestia, focuses on how imputed rent could influence the consumer price index. The planned work is projected to cost about 2.7 million rubles.
Imputed rent refers to the value owners place on the housing services tied to owning real estate, representing the strings of cost for the upkeep of property that owners effectively bear regardless of actual rents paid. Economists and policy observers are examining whether adding this indicator to the CPI could alter the overall pace of price growth in the country.
Some experts cited by news outlets argue that incorporating imputed rent could temper the reported inflation rate by capturing a broader spectrum of living costs that households face, particularly those tied to housing ownership and maintenance. The issue raises questions about how best to measure price changes in a way that reflects living standards for households that own homes in addition to those that rent.
The study may also consider whether to apply the imputed rent framework to inflation calculations for the years 2023 and 2024, should the research yield compelling results. This potential revision would depend on observed price movements, the quality of housing market data, and methodological considerations in national statistical work.
In related inflation updates, the latest figures showed a dip in annual inflation, with the rate moving to 14.87 percent from 15.01 percent in the prior period. Analysts attributed part of this decline to cheaper food items, with fruit and vegetable categories contributing to a relief in overall consumer costs.
Looking further back, a notable perspective comes from a specialty analyst who predicts a possible path for inflation by year-end. The projection ranges between 14 percent and 14.5 percent, or possibly around 15.8 percent depending on how non-food prices evolve. The actual outcome hinges on how demand and pricing in non-food sectors perform in the coming months, as the economy adjusts to evolving market conditions and policy signals.