NEWS RELEASE
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX
August 2007

October 2, 2007

The Consumer Price Index Bulletin for August 2007 released by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica introduces the Revised Consumer Price Index series was introduced in August 2007. This revised series provides information on the Consumer Price Index organized into twelve Divisions (formerly referred to as Group) starting with a base of (100) in December 2006.

The All Jamaica ‘All Division’ Consumer Price Index for the month of August 2007 was 107.1 this represented an increase of 0.9 per cent over the index of 106.2 for the month of July. Inflation rates of 1.0 per cent and 0.8 per cent were recorded for the months July and June, respectively. For the calendar year to date August 2007, the rate of inflation stood at 7.1 per cent. The rate of inflation for the fiscal year to date was 4.5 per cent. A point to point movement of 7.9 per cent was recorded for the period August 2006 to August 2007.

A look at the regional indices showed increases for all three regions: Greater Kingston Metropolitan Area up by 0.6 per cent, Other Urban Centres up by 0.7 per cent and Rural Areas by 1.1 per cent.

For the period under review, increases were recorded for nine of the Twelve Divisions All Jamaica’ group indices, with the exception of ‘Transport’ for which there was a -0.3 per cent decline. While for the Divisions ‘Communication’ and ‘Education’ was unchanged.

The index for the division ‘Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ increased by 1.6 per cent, ‘Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco’ moved up by 1.9 per cent, ‘Clothing and Footwear’ up by 0.5 per cent, ‘Housing, Water, Electricity Gas and Other Fuels’ up by 0.6 per cent, ‘Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance’ up by 1.1 per cent, ‘Health’ up by 0.2 percent, ‘Recreation and Culture’ up by 1.0 per cent ‘Restaurants and Accommodation Services’ up by 0.9 per cent and the ‘Miscellaneous Goods and Services’ increased by 0.2 per cent.

The Revised Consumer Price Index Bulletin August 2007 and the CD for January to June 2007 further outlines additional Information and may be obtained from the distribution office of the Statistical Institute of Jamaica 7 Cecelio Avenue Kingston 10.