NEWS RELEASE
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX
DECEMBER 2006  

January 16, 2007

The December 2006 Consumer Price Index Bulletin released by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica reveals that the rate of inflation for the calendar year 2006 stood at 5.8 percent, down 7.1 percentage points from the 12 .9 percent recorded for the corresponding period last year. This is equivalent to an increase of 0.5 percent over the index of 2413.5 for November. The rate of inflation for November and October revealed downward movements of 0.2 percent and 0.1 percent respectively.  The rate of inflation for the fiscal year to date was 5.6 percent.

A look at the regional indices showed increases for all three regions ‘Kingston Metropolitan Area’ 0.8 percent, ‘Other Towns’ by 0.4 percent and ‘Rural Areas’ increased by 0.2 percent.

For the month of December 2006, all the groups recorded higher indices than in November.
The All Jamaica index for the group ‘Food and Drink’ increased by 0.6 percent, with upward movements for all but one of the seven sub-groups that makes up the group. The index for the sub-group ‘Vegetables and Fruit’ registered the most significant increase of 5.4 percent, followed by ‘Meat Poultry and Fish’ 1.2 percent. ‘Dairy Products oils & Fats and Baked Products, Cereal and Breakfast Drinks’ both increased by 0.5 percent. ‘Meals Away From Home’ and ‘Other Food and Beverages’ increased by 0.3 percent and 0.2 percent respectively. The Index for the sub-group ‘Starchy Foods’ declined by 3.0 percent.

The December 2006 Consumer Price Index Bulletin further outlines additional information and may be obtained from our distribution office at the Statistical Institute of Jamaica 7 Cecelio Avenue, Kingston 10