Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI for March 2015 increased by 5.10% year-on-year to 104.54, down slightly from the 5.30% growth in February 2015. Rising rentals for dwellings and higher charges for eating out remained the main drivers of the increase in CPI.

In comparison with March 2014, notable increase was observed in the price index of Housing & Fuels (+10.58%); Health (+5.71%) and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+5.48%) on account of higher rentals for dwellings, as well as dearer charges for out-patient services and eating out. On the contrary, price index of Transport and Clothing & Footwear decreased by 0.66% and 0.39% respectively. The CPI-A (104.71) and CPI-B (103.08) increased by 5.46% and 4.27% respectively year-on-year.

The Composite CPI for March 2015 increased by 0.19% month-to-month. Higher wages of domestic helpers and rising rentals for parking spaces drove up the price index of Household Goods & Furnishings and Transport by 1.69% and 1.52%. On the other hand, price index of Recreation & Culture and Clothing & Footwear decreased by 6.43% and 2.52% upon lower charges for package tours after the Lunar New Year and seasonal sale of winter clothing. The CPI-A increased by 0.22% month-to-month but the CPI-B edged down by 0.04%.

For the 12 months ended March 2015, the average Composite CPI increased by 5.77% from the previous period. Price index of Housing & Fuels (+11.67%); Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+5.75%) and Health (+4.82%) registered remarkable increase. The average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.24% and 5.49% respectively.

The average Composite CPI (104.10) for the first quarter of 2015 increased by 5.05% year-on-year, with the price index of Housing & Fuels and Health increasing by 10.97% and 5.54% respectively. The average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 5.45% and 4.43% respectively.

The Composite CPI reflects the impact of price changes on the general households. The CPI-A relates to about 50% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP10,000 to MOP29,999. The CPI-B relates to about 30% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP30,000 to MOP54,999.