Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the Composite CPI (104.38) for August 2010 increased by 2.55% year-on-year, attributable to the price increase of Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages. Analyzed by section of goods and services, Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+6.32%); Recreation & Culture (+6.06%); Clothing & Footwear (+5.88%); Health (+5.43%); Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+4.88%) and Transport (+3.24%) recorded notable increases on account of dearer prices of gold jewellery, men’s clothing, rice, fresh fish and seafood, vegetables, and airfare, as well as higher charges for outbound package tours, medical services and meals bought away from home.

As for other sections, apart from the 9.80% decrease of the price index of Education, reduced charges for mobile phone services caused the price index of Communication to decrease by 3.60%.

The CPI-A (103.81) and CPI-B (104.52) for August 2010 increased by 1.97% and 2.78% year-on-year respectively.

The Composite CPI for August 2010 decreased by 0.21% month-to-month, with the price indices of Clothing & Footwear and Housing & Fuels falling by 3.27% and 0.26% on account of summer sales of clothing as well as lower price of LPG. However, price index of Recreation & Culture rose by 1.39%, attributable to higher charges for outbound package tours during Summer Holidays.

The average Composite CPI for the first eight months of 2010 increased by 2.26% year-on-year. For the 12 months ended August 2010, the average Composite CPI rose by 1.38% 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.