Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the Composite CPI (108.74) for April 2011 increased by 4.88% year-on-year. The increase was attributable to higher charges for meals bought away from home, as well as hair dressing and grooming services, dearer prices of gasoline and gold jewellery; however, rising electricity subsidy from the Government to all households and lower charges for telecommunication services offset part of the increment. For the 12 months ended April 2011, the average Composite CPI increased by 3.88% from the previous period; the CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 3.47% and 4.06% respectively. In comparison with April 2010, notable increase was observed in the price index of Transport (+8.73%); Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+8.59%); Recreation & Culture (+7.33%); Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+6.52%) and Health (+6.48%) on account of dearer prices of gasoline, airfare, LP gas and gold jewellery, as well as higher charges for outbound package tours, meals bought away from home, and hairdressing and grooming services. On the contrary, price index of Communication decreased by 8.25% year-on-year. The CPI-A (107.90) and CPI-B (109.08) for April 2011 increased by 4.39% and 5.08% respectively. The Composite CPI for April 2011 increased by 0.10% month-to-month, of which the price index of Clothing & Footwear; and Transport rose by 1.41% and 1.30% respectively; however, price index of Housing & Fuels decreased by 1.63%. The CPI-A for April 2011 decreased by 0.15% month-to-month, while the CPI-B increased by 0.2%. The average Composite CPI for the first four months of 2011 increased by 4.99% year-on-year; the CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 4.66% and 5.17% respectively. 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.
