Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the Composite CPI (104.61) for July 2010 increased by 2.96% year-on-year, attributable to the price increase of Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages. Analyzed by section of goods and services, Clothing & Footwear (+6.98%); Transport (+6.16%); Recreation & Culture (+6.15%); Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+6.04%); Health (+5.26%); and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+4.58%) recorded notable increases on account of dearer prices of men’s and women’s clothing, gasoline, airfare, gold jewellery, fresh fish and seafood, and vegetables, as well as higher charges for outbound package tours, medical services and meals bought away from home.

As for other sections, apart from the 9.81% decrease of the price index of Education, reduced charges for mobile phone services caused the price index of Communication to decrease by 3.52%.

The CPI-A (104.06) and CPI-B (104.77) for July 2010 increased by 2.35% and 3.17% year-on-year respectively.

The Composite CPI for July 2010 increased by 0.21% month-to-month, with the price index of Recreation & Culture rising by 2.61%, attributable to higher charges for outbound package tours; and recreational and cultural services during Summer Holidays. However, price index of Clothing & Footwear fell by 2.08% on account of lower prices of men’s and women’s clothing.

The average Composite CPI for the first seven months of 2010 increased by 2.22% year-on-year. For the 12 months ended July 2010, the average Composite CPI rose by 1.2% from the preceding period.

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.