Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI (119.00) for November 2012 increased by 5.72% year-on-year, attributable to rising charges for meals bought away from home and higher prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas; nevertheless, a raise in Government subsidy on electricity tapered off part of the increase.

For the 12 months ended November 2012, the average Composite CPI increased by 6.19% from the preceding period; the average CPI-A and CPI-B also rose by 6.44% and 6.39% respectively.

In comparison with November 2011, price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+34.35%); Housing & Fuels (+8.53%); and Household Goods & Furnishings (+8.26%) marked notable increase on account of dearer prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas and higher charges for domestic services. On the contrary, price index of Education and Communication decreased by 3.06% and 1.05% respectively year-on-year. The CPI-A (118.64) and CPI-B (119.55) increased by 6.21% and 5.86% respectively year-on-year.

The Composite CPI increased by 0.90% month-to-month, of which dearer prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, new arrival of Winter clothing, and rising charges for out-patient medical services pushed up the price index of Clothing & Footwear; Housing & Fuels; and Health by 2.85%, 2.79% and 2.54%. However, price index of Transport; Communication; and Recreation & Culture decreased by 0.82%, 0.71% and 0.41% on account of lower gasoline prices, as well as reduced charges for package tours and internet services. The CPI-A and the CPI-B increased by 1.00% and 0.86% respectively month-on-month.

The average Composite CPI for the first eleven months of 2012 increased by 6.13% year-on-year, of which price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+31.17%); and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+8.65%) saw remarkable increase, while that of Communication decreased by 4.43%. The CPI-A and CPI-B for the first eleven months of 2012 rose by 6.40% and 6.35% respectively.

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.