Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI (114.45) for January 2012 increased by 6.80% year-on-year. The increment was attributable to rising charges for meals bought away from home and outbound package tours. Meanwhile, subsidy on electricity charges and lowered telecommunication charges tapered off part of the increment of the Composite CPI.

For the 12 months ended January 2012, the average Composite CPI increased by 5.96% from the preceding period; the average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 5.66% and 6.16% respectively.

In comparison with January 2011, price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+26.50%); Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+10.21%); Recreation & Culture (+10.17%) and Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+9.06%) registered marked increase on account of dearer prices of fresh fish, fresh meat, airfare, gasoline, gold jewellery and soaring tobacco tax, as well as higher charges for meals bought away from home, outbound package tours and hairdressing & grooming services during the Lunar New Year period. On the contrary, price index of Communication decreased by 6.41% year-on-year. The CPI-A (113.48) and CPI-B (115.03) for January 2012 increased by 6.56% and 7.14% respectively year-on-year.

The Composite CPI for January 2012 increased by 0.93% month-to-month, of which the price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco and Recreation & Culture; increased by 13.89% and 4.26% respectively. However, price index of Clothing & Footwear decreased by 3.55% month-to-month on account of seasonal sale of clothing. Meanwhile, the CPI-A and CPI-B increased by 0.89% and 1.11% respectively month-to-month.

The 2008/2009-based Composite CPI 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.