​The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in March 2019 decreased by 0.05 per cent year-on-year compared to March 2018. Prices of Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages decreased by 0.5 per cent. Meanwhile, Non-Food prices increased by 0.1 per cent.

The CPI decrease was largely attributed to decreases in the prices and costs of Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels (3.3 per cent); Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (0.5 per cent); and Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance (0.3 per cent). However, this was moderated by increases in prices and costs of Health (3.1 per cent); Recreation and Culture (2.6 per cent); and Transport (0.6 per cent).

Prices of Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels decreased following the decrease in prices of rental and materials for the maintenance and repair of dwellings. Meanwhile, the decrease in the prices of Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages was due to low prices of vegetables, chicken and eggs. The decline in Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance was attributed to the reduced prices of living/dining room furniture and bedroom furniture.

On a month-on-month basis, the CPI in March 2019 increased by 0.5 per cent compared to February 2019. The Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages Index increased by 0.1 per cent, while the Non-Food Index increased by 0.6 per cent.

The CPI is a measure of price changes of goods and services paid by the consumer in a specified period and compiled on a monthly basis. The list of goods and services in the CPI is based on the average expenditure per household from the Household Expenditure Survey (HES). The CPI full report for March 2019 is available from DEPD’s website: www.depd.gov.bn.

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (2010 = 100)

Courtesy of Department of Economic Planning and Development, Ministry of Finance and Economy, Tuesday May 14, 2019