News Release
Consumer Price Index
February 2008

March 14, 2008

The All Jamaica ' All Divisions' Consumer Price Index for the month of February 2008 was 121.5, a 1.8 per cent increase over the index for January. The rate of inflation for December was 2.5 per cent, while for November it was 3.2 per cent. For the calendar year-to-date, inflation stood at 4.0 per cent. Point-to-Point inflation for the period February 2007 to February 2008 was 19.9 per cent. For the fiscal year to date the inflation rate was 18.5 per cent.

A look at the regional indices showed increases for all three regions ' Greater Kingston Metropolitan Area' up by 2.2 per cent, ' Other Urban Centres' up by 1.6 per cent and ' Rural Areas' by 1.6 per cent.

There were increases in all 12 divisions except ' Communication ' and ' Education '.

The index for the ' Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages' increased by 1.9 per cent, ' Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco' moved up by 1.5 per cent, ' Clothing and Footwear' up by 3.1 per cent, ' Housing, Water Electricity , Gas and Other Fuels' up by 2.7 per cent ' Furnishings, Household Equipment & Routine Household Maintenance ' up by 4.0 per cent, ' Health ' up by 0.5 per cent, ' Transport up by 0.8 per cent ' Recreation and Culture' up by 0.3 per cent, Restaurant and Accommodation Services' up by 1.7 per cent and ' Miscellaneous Goods and Services' increased by 1.7 per cent.

The Revised Consumer Price index Bulletin February 2008 further outlines additional information and may be obtained from the Distribution office of the Statistical Institute of Jamaica 7 Cecelio Avenue, Kingston 10.