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.