Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI (123.34) for June 2013 increased by 5.31% year-on-year, attributable to higher charges for eating out, rising rentals for dwellings, and dearer prices of fresh vegetables and fruits. In comparison with June 2012, notable increase was observed in the price index of Housing & Fuels (+8.91%); Health (+7.31%); and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+6.47%) on account of rising rentals for dwellings, higher charges for out-patient services and eating out, as well as dearer prices of vegetables, fruits and fresh meat; however, price index of Education and Communication decreased by 3.12% and 2.69% respectively. The CPI – A (123.29) and CPI-B (123.91) increased by 5.77% and 5.24% respectively year-on-year. The Composite CPI for June 2013 increased by 0.67% month-to-month. Dearer prices of Summer clothing and higher charges for domestic services drove up the price index of Clothing & Footwear; and Household Goods & Furnishings by 2.96% and 1.73% respectively. On the contrary, price index of both Recreation & Culture; and Miscellaneous Goods & Services decreased by 0.35% due to reduced charges for package tours and lower prices of gold jewellery. The CPI-A and CPI-B increased by 0.66% and 0.71% respectively month-to-month. For the 12 months ended June 2013, the average Composite CPI increased by 5.52% from the preceding period. Price index of Housing & Fuels (+8.48%) and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+7.10%) registered notable increase, while that of Education and Communication decreased by 2.27% and 2.01%. The average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.03% and 5.54% respectively. The average Composite CPI for the second quarter of 2013 increased by 5.13% year-on-year; the average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 5.69% and 5.00% respectively. For the first half year of 2013, the average Composite CPI increased by 5.26% year-on-year; the average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 5.81% and 5.15% 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.
