Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI (125.22) for October 2013 increased by 6.18% year-on-year, attributable to rising charges for eating out, higher rentals for dwellings and dearer prices of vegetables. In comparison with October 2012, notable increase was observed in the price index of Housing & Fuels (+12.88%); Health (+6.93%); and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+6.70%) on account of higher rentals for dwellings, dearer prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas and vegetables, as well as rising charges for eating out and out-patient services. On the contrary, price index of Communication decreased by 2.54%. The CPI-A (125.63) and CPI-B (125.59) increased by 6.94% and 5.96% respectively year-on-year. The Composite CPI for October 2013 increased by 0.15% month-to-month. Higher prices of Winter clothings and rising rentals for dwellings drove up the price index of Clothing & Footwear; and Housing & Fuels by 1.42% and 0.86% respectively. However, price index of Transport; and Recreation & Culture decreased by 0.68% and 0.42% upon lower airfare and gasoline prices, as well as reduced charges for package tours. Moreover, price index of Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages dropped by 0.24%. The CPI-A and CPI-B increased by 0.11% and 0.16% respectively month-to-month. For the 12 months ended October 2013, the average Composite CPI increased by 5.51% from the previous period. Price index of Housing & Fuels (+9.58%); and Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+8.87%) registered noticeable increase, while price index of Education and Communication decreased by 2.26% and 2.20% respectively. The average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.08% and 5.42% respectively. The average Composite CPI for the first ten months of 2013 increased by 5.45% year-on-year; the average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.04% and 5.33% 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.
