Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the Composite CPI (112.56) for November 2011 increased by 6.65% year-on-year. The increment was attributable to higher charges for meals bought away from home and rising prices of clothing and gasoline.

For the 12 months ended November 2011, the average Composite CPI increased by 5.57% from the previous period; the CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 5.24% and 5.75% respectively.

In comparison with November 2010, significant increase was observed in the price index of Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+10.44%); Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+9.58%); Transport (+7.34%); and Clothing & Footwear (+6.83%) on account of dearer prices of fresh pork, fresh fish, vegetable, men and women’s clothing, gasoline and gold jewellery, as well as higher charges for meals bought away from home. On the contrary, price index of Communication decreased by 14.07% year-on-year. The CPI-A (111.71) and CPI-B (112.93) for November 2011 increased by 6.47% and 6.82% respectively.

The Composite CPI for November 2011 increased by 0.39% month-to-month, of which the price index of Clothing & Footwear rose by 3.24% upon new arrival of winter clothing; however, price index of Transport decreased by 0.75% with lower gasoline prices. The CPI-A and CPI-B increased by 0.35% and 0.41% respectively month-to-month.

The average Composite CPI for the first eleven months of 2011 increased by 5.71% year-on-year; the CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 5.39% and 5.90% respectively.

The Composite CPI, with base year April 2008-March 2009, reflects the impact of price changes on the general population. The CPI-A relates to about 50% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP6,000 to MOP18,999. The CPI-B relates to about 30% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP19,000 to MOP34,999.