April 14, 2008

The All Jamaica ‘All Divisions’ Consumer Price Index for the month of March 2008 was 122.9, this represents a 1.2 per cent increase over the index for March 2008. The rate of inflation for February was 1.8 per cent, while for January it was 2.2 per cent. The rate of inflation for the fiscal year-to-date was 19.9 per cent while for the calendar year to date the inflation stood at 5.2 per cent.

A look at the regional indices showed increases for all three regions ‘Greater Kingston Metropolitan Area’ up by 1.4 per cent, ‘Other Urban Centres’ up by 1.6 per cent and ‘Rural Areas’ by 0.9 per cent.

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

The index for the ‘Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ increased by 2.1 per cent, ‘Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco’ moved up by 0.7 per cent, ‘Clothing and Footwear’ up by 0.8 per cent, ‘Housing, Water Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ declined by 0.9 per cent ‘Furnishings, Household Equipment & Routine Household Maintenance’ up by 0.7 per cent, ‘Health’ up by 0.3 per cent, ‘Transport’ up by 0.4 per cent ‘Recreation and Culture’ up by 0.9 per cent, Restaurant and Accommodation Services’ up by 0.4 per cent and ‘Miscellaneous Goods and Services’ increased by 3.6 per cent.

The Revised Consumer Price index Bulletin March 2008 further outlines additional information and may be obtained from the Distribution office of the Statistical Institute of Jamaica 7 Cecelio Avenue, Kingston 10. Data is also available on the STATIN website at www.statinja.com