Inflation in April declines year-on-year

Data from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) showed that the composite consumer price index (CPI) for the previous month has climbed 4.51 percent compared to the same period last year. Growth in rentals and in rising costs for eating out remained the major drivers of the increased CPI index.
Compared to the same month in 2014, a notable increase was observed mainly in terms of housing, fuels, health and food and non-alcoholic beverages; these were explained in a manner similar to the above reasons. However, consumption in recreation and culture, alcoholic beverages and tobacco was recorded as having fallen.
Yet in comparison to last month, the CPI index has dropped by 0.31 percent. The price index of clothing, footwear and transport, caused by the new arrival of summer clothing and footwear, higher rentals for parking spaces and dearer charges for maintenance and vehicle repair, have increased by 2.81 percent and 0.67 percent respectively.
The average composite CPI for the first quarter of the year has risen by 4.91 percent year-on-year, with the index for housing and fuels, health as well as food and non-alcoholic drinks rising by 10.68 percent, 5.44 percent and 5.11 percent respectively. Staff reporter