The CPI-based monthly inflation in October 2019 witnessed a decrease of 0.83 percent compared to Consumer Price Index (CPI) of September 2019.When compared to CPI of October 2018, a decrease of 0.84 percent (year-on-year) has been recorded in the general index (CPI) of this month, latest official data released by Planning and Statistics Authority show.
An analysis (on M-o-M basis) of CPI for October 2019 compared with CPI, September 2019, shows that there are seven main groups, where respective indices in this month have decreased, namely: “Recreation and Culture” by 2.6 percent , “Transport” by 1.92 percent , “Food and Beverages” by 1.02 percent , Communication” by 0.74 percent , “Miscellaneous Goods and Services” by 0.71 percent , “Housing, Water, Electricity and other Fuel” by 0.26 percent , and “Clothing and Footwear” by 0.16 percent . An increase has recorded in three main groups, that were “Restaurants and Hotels” by 0.63 percent, “Furniture and Household Equipment” by 0.25 percent, “Health” by 0.11 percent. “Tobacco” and “Education” groups had remained flat at the last month’s price level.
A comparison of the CPI, October 2019 with the CPI, October 2018 (Annual Change), a decrease has been recorded in the general index (CPI), by 0.84 percent. This (Y-o-Y) price decrease primary due to the prices decline seen in the seven groups namely: “Clothing and Footwear” by 3.95 percent “Recreation and Culture” by 3.83 percent , “Transport” by 2.03 percent , “Housing, Water, Electricity and other Fuel” by 1.90 percent ,
“Food and Beverages” by 1.13 percent , “Communication” by 0.11 percent , “Health” by 0.07 percent . An increase has been shown in price levels in five groups namely: “Tobacco” by 127.19 percent, “Miscellaneous Goods and Services” by 3.38 percent, “Restaurants and Hotels” by 1.54 percent, “Education” by 0.93 percent , and “Furniture and Household Equipment” by 0.04 percent.
The CPI of October , 2019 excluding “Housing, Water, Electricity and other Fuel” group stands at 108.42 points showing a decrease of 0.98 percent when compared to the index of September 2019, and a 0.55 percent when compared to the CPI of October, 2018.
