Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI (130.06) for May 2014 increased by 6.16% year-on-year, attributable to higher rentals for dwellings and dearer charges for eating out.

In comparison with May 2013, notable increase was observed in the price index of Housing & Fuels (+11.98%); Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+6.04%); and Household Goods & Furnishings (+6.02%) on account of rising rentals, dearer prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, and higher charges for eating out and domestic services. The CPI-A (130.63) and CPI-B (130.51) increased by 6.65% and 6.08% respectively year-on-year.

The Composite CPI for May 2014 increased by 0.10% month-to-month. New arrival of Summer clothing drove up the price index of Clothing & Footwear by 1.37%. Meanwhile, receding prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas offset part of the increase. On the contrary, price index of Recreation & Culture decreased by 2.47% upon reduced charges for package tours; lower prices of vegetables and fruits tapered off the rise in prices of fresh fish and charges for eating out, pushing down the price index of Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages by 0.22%. The CPI-A and CPI-B increased by 0.07% and 0.11% respectively month-to-month.

For the 12 months ended May 2014, the average Composite CPI increased by 5.89% from the previous period. Price index of Housing & Fuels (+11.19%); Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+6.48%); and Household Goods & Furnishings (+6.30%) registered remarkable increase, while price index of Communication decreased by 1.64%. The average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.47% and 5.78% respectively.

The average Composite CPI for the first five months of 2014 increased by 6.18% year-on-year; the average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.72% 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.