Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI (122.51) for May 2013 increased by 4.84% year-on-year, attributable to rising charges for eating out and outbound package tours, as well as higher rentals for housing.

In comparison with May 2012, notable increase was observed in the price index of Housing & Fuels (+8.66%); Health (+7.16%); and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+5.98%) on account of rising rentals for dwellings, as well as higher charges for out-patient services and eating out; however, price index of Education and Communication decreased by 3.12% and 2.77% respectively. The CPI-A (122.49) and CPI-B (123.03) increased by 5.30% and 4.74% respectively year-on-year.

The Composite CPI for May 2013 increased by 0.28% month-to-month. Dearer prices of women’s clothing and footwear, as well as higher charges for outbound package tours, drove up the price index of Clothing & Footwear; and Recreation & Culture by 3.34% and 1.57% respectively. On the contrary, price index of Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages and Transport decreased by 0.49% and 0.38% due to lower prices of vegetables and gasoline. Moreover, receding prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas tapered off the increase in the price index of Housing & Fuels. The CPI-A and the CPI-B increased by 0.08% and 0.35% respectively month-to-month.

For the 12 months ended May 2013, the average Composite CPI increased by 5.59% from the preceding period. Price index of Housing & Fuels (+8.38%) and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+7.30%) registered notable increase, while that of Communication and Education decreased by 2.36% and 1.85%. The average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.09% and 5.64% respectively.

The average Composite CPI for the first five months of 2013 increased by 5.24% year-on-year; the average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 5.82% and 5.13% 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.