Average inflation in Russia

Measures the change in prices of a representative basket of goods and services bought by Russian households. Compiled by the Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat), it is Russia's main gauge of inflation.

Based on a price survey across all of Russia's regions, with weekly tracking of selected items and monthly compilation. Each item is weighted by its share of household spending and aggregated into an index with a base year (index 100). Average annual inflation averages the year-on-year rates.

It is the central reference for the Bank of Russia's inflation-targeting policy. A high reading pushes the key rate higher and tends to move the rouble; inflation is one of the country's most closely watched variables.

It only captures the defined basket, not the whole economy. It is sensitive to food, energy and the rouble exchange rate; the underlying trend is tracked via core inflation, which strips out energy and fresh food.