Consumer price increases remained below 1 percent for six months in a row, sparking concerns of deflation, data showed Tuesday.

According to Statistics Korea, the consumer prices for May rose only 0.5 percent compared to May 2014. They have remained in this low range since hitting 0.8 percent last December.

Aside from the rise in tobacco prices (0.6 percent), prices of goods have been decreasing for four consecutive months.

However, consumer prices increased 0.1 percent since April due to rising prices of vegetables and livestock, experts said.

A Finance Ministry official said the government expected consumer prices to increase in the second half of the year as oil prices rise and the economy recovers.