Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI (129.94) for April 2014 increased by 6.36% year-on-year, attributable to higher rentals for dwellings, dearer charges for eating out and package tours during Easter Holidays.
In comparison with April 2013, notable increase was observed in the price index of Housing & Fuels (+11.93%); Recreation & Culture (+8.57%); and Household Goods & Furnishings (+7.06%) on account of higher rentals and rising charges for package tours and domestic services. The CPI-A (130.53) and CPI-B (130.36) increased by 6.66% and 6.33% respectively year-on-year.
The Composite CPI for April 2014 increased by 0.88% month-to-month. Higher charges for package tours and dearer prices of tobacco pushed up the price index of Recreation & Culture and Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco by 4.18% and 1.57% respectively; besides, price index of Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages increased by 0.68% owing to higher charges for eating out, and dearer prices of vegetables and fruits, while lower prices of fresh seafood and fresh pork tapered off the increase. On the contrary, price index of Communication decreased slightly by 0.01% month-to-month. The CPI-A and CPI-B increased by 0.80% and 0.90% respectively month-to-month.
For the 12 months ended April 2014, the average Composite CPI increased by 5.78% from the previous period. Price index of Housing & Fuels (+10.92%); and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+6.48%) registered remarkable increase, while price index of Communication decreased by 1.87%. The average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.36% and 5.67% respectively.
The average Composite CPI for the first four months of 2014 increased by 6.18% year-on-year; the average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.74% and 6.09% 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.
