Consumer price index rises by 0.5% in June

The Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics (MDPS) has released the consumer price index (CPI) for the last month.
The CPI reached 114.5, showing an increase of 0.5% compared to the CPI of May the same year and an increase of 3.4% compared to the CPI of June, 2012.
A comparison of the CPI of June 2013 with that of the previous month by major groups shows increases in most groups. For instance transport and communications rose by 1.2%, entertainment, recreation and culture by 0.9% and food, beverages and tobacco by 0.8%. However, prices declined by 1.0% in miscellaneous goods and services.
The year-on-year comparison, comparing the CPI of June 2013 with that of June 2012, shows increase of 3.4% at the overall level.
Increases were recorded in all groups except miscellaneous goods and services, where prices declined by 2.0%.
The highest increases recorded in various groups include: (entertainment, recreation and culture) 8.1%, (rent, fuel and energy) 6.8% and (transport and communications) 1.1%.
A CPI exclusive of rent, fuel and energy group has also been calculated.
After eliminating the effect of rent, the overall index reached 126.3, showing an increase of 0.6% compared to the CPI of May 2013, and an increase of 2.3% when compared to CPI of June 2012.