Consumer Price Index (CPI) for August 2013

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI (124.07) for August 2013 increased by 5.31% year-on-year, attributable to higher charges for eating out and outbound package tours, as well as rising rentals for dwellings. In comparison with August 2012, notable increase was observed in the price index of Housing & Fuels (+10.74%); Health (+6.38%); and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+6.09%) on account of rising rentals for dwellings, higher charges for out-patient services and eating out, and dearer prices of fresh food and produce. However, price index of Education and Communication decreased by 3.14% and 2.58% respectively. The CPI-A (124.30) and CPI-B (124.48) increased by 5.93% and 5.15% respectively year-on-year. The Composite CPI for August 2013 increased by 0.17% month-to-month due to dearer prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas and vegetables, higher rentals for dwellings, as well as rising charges for outbound package tours, eating out and domestic services. Price index of Housing & Fuels; Recreation & Culture; and Household Goods & Furnishings increased by 1.20%, 0.99% and 0.86% respectively. On the contrary, price index of Clothing & Footwear decreased by 3.76% upon seasonal sale of Summer clothing and footwear. The CPI-A and CPI-B increased by 0.33% and 0.08% respectively month-to-month. For the 12 months ended August 2013, the average Composite CPI increased by 5.39% from the previous period. Price index of Housing & Fuels (+8.75%) and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+6.76%) registered marked increase, while index of Education decreased by 3.10%. The average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 5.91% and 5.36% respectively. The average Composite CPI for the first eight months of 2013 increased by 5.28% year-on-year; the average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 5.83% 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.