Consumer Price Index (CPI) for September 2013

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI (125.03) for September 2013 increased by 6.12% year-on-year, attributable to higher charges for eating out, dearer prices of vegetables and rising rentals for dwellings. In comparison with September 2012, notable increase was observed in the price index of Housing & Fuels (+10.80%); and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+7.45%) on account of higher rentals for dwellings, rising charges for eating out and dearer prices of vegetables. On the contrary, price index of Communication decreased by 2.57%. The CPI-A (125.49) and CPI-B (125.39) increased by 6.84% and 5.93% respectively year-on-year. The Composite CPI for September 2013 increased by 0.77% month-to-month. Higher tuition fee and charges for tutorial class in the new academic year, rising charges for eating out, dearer prices of vegetables and fresh pork drove up the price index of Education; and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages by 2.08% and 1.37% respectively. However, price index of Recreation & Culture decreased by 2.10% due to reduced charges for package tours. The CPI-A and CPI-B increased by 0.96% and 0.73% respectively month-to-month. For the 12 months ended September 2013, the average Composite CPI increased by 5.42% from the previous period. Price index of Housing & Fuels (+9.00%); Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+6.77%); and Health (+6.73%) saw noticeable increase, while that of Education and Communication decreased by 2.68% and 2.02% respectively. The average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 5.97% and 5.37% respectively. The average Composite CPI for the third quarter of 2013 increased by 5.60% year-on-year; the average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.20% and 5.46% respectively. For the first nine months of 2013, the average Composite CPI increased by 5.37% year-on-year; the average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 5.94% and 5.26% 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.