Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI (131.61) for August 2014 increased by 6.07% year-on-year, attributable to higher rentals for dwellings and dearer charges for eating out.
In comparison with August 2013, notable increase was observed in the price index of Housing & Fuels (+12.04%); Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+5.93%); and Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+4.44%) on account of rising rentals, dearer prices of fresh pork and fruits, as well as higher charges for eating out and grooming services. On the contrary, price index of Communication decreased by 0.17%. The CPI-A (132.39) and CPI-B (131.91) increased by 6.51% and 5.97% respectively year-on-year.
The Composite CPI for August 2014 increased by 0.31% month-to-month. Rising rentals and dearer prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas pushed up the price index of Housing & Fuels by 1.74%. On the other hand, price index of Transport and Clothing & Footwear decreased by 1.24% and 0.92% respectively upon receding gasoline prices and seasonal sale of women’s summer clothing and footwear. The CPI-A and CPI-B increased by 0.42% and 0.26% respectively month-to-month.
For the 12 months ended August 2014, the average Composite CPI increased by 6.06% from the previous period. Price index of Housing & Fuels (+11.72%); Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+6.40%); and Household Goods & Furnishings (+5.82%) registered remarkable increase, while price index of Communication decreased by 1.00%. The average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.62% and 5.93% respectively.
The average Composite CPI for the first eight months of 2014 increased by 6.11% year-on-year; the average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.63% and 6.00% respectively year-on-year.
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.
