Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the Composite CPI (110.80) for August 2011 increased by 6.15% year-on-year. The increment was fuelled by higher charges for meals bought away from home, as well as rising prices of gasoline and gold jewellery.

For the 12 months ended August 2011, the average Composite CPI increased by 4.89% from the previous period; the CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 4.56% and 5.05% respectively.

In comparison with August 2010, notable increase was observed in the price index of Transport (+10.64%); Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+10.34%); Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+8.79%); and Clothing & Footwear (+8.49%) on account of dearer prices of gasoline, gold jewellery, fresh fish, fresh pork and women’s clothing, as well as rising charges for meals bought away from home. On the contrary, price index of Communication decreased by 13.98% year-on-year upon lowered charges for internet service. The CPI-A (109.81) and CPI-B (111.18) for August 2011 increased by 5.78% and 6.37% respectively.

The Composite CPI for August 2011 decreased by 0.04% month-to-month, of which the price index of Communication and Clothing & Footwear fell by 6.22% and 2.24%, respectively. However, price index of Recreation & Culture; and Transport rose by 0.97% and 0.82% month-to-month upon higher charges for outbound package tours and dearer prices of airfare. The CPI-A for August 2011 decreased by 0.19% whereas CPI-B increased slightly by 0.01% month-to-month.

The average Composite CPI for the first eight months of 2011 increased by 5.37% year-on-year; the CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 5.02% and 5.55% respectively.

The Composite CPI, with base year April 2008-March 2009, 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.