Prices up in September, Education expenses grow by over 10%

This year’s September consumer price index (CPI) has grown 1.12% year-on-year with the composite CPI scoring 103.97 points, the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) has noted.

The increment was attributed to higher wages for domestic helpers and tuition fees, rising charges for eating out, as well as increased prices of gasoline and fruits. The rise was partially offset by lower housing rentals and charges for telecommunication services, as well as reduced pork prices. 

Among goods and services registering major hikes were the price indices of household furnishings and services and education which grew 13.17% and 10.12% respectively year-on-year.

Moving in the opposite direction was communication, which decreased 10.07% y-o-y.

Compared month-to-month, the composite CPI for September rose slightly (+0.19%) when compared with August.

Analysis of the last 12 months, ending in September this year, has shown the average composite CPI grew 1.09% from the previous period, with the price indices of household furnishings and services (+10.18%) and transport (+6.63%) showing the most growth.

In general, and taking into account the price reduction seen mostly on fresh food items, namely fish and seafood as well as fruits, the CPI remained relatively stable with an overall growth of around 1% year-on-year.