HEADLINE INFLATION UP TO 4.2 PER CENT

MBABANE - The country’s headline inflation rate was recorded at increased 4.2 per cent in the past month.

This is the annual percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in March 2021 compared with that of the same period last year. This annual rate which has been announced by Central Statistical Office is 0.3 percentage points higher than the corresponding annual rate of 3.9 per cent observed in February this year. 

February

The month-on-month inflation rate (percentage change in the CPI in March 2021 compared with that of February 2021) is 0.6 per cent. The higher headline inflation was due to increasing annual rates of change reflected in February in the price indices for clothing and footwear which increased from 4.8 per cent in February this year to 5.8 in the following month. “Footwear (namely shoes) and clothing (specifically garments) are the main reason for the increase in the index in this category,” reads the report. Recreation and culture which increased from 3.4 in February to 4.2 per cent last month also contributed to the surge. Other recreational items and equipment, garden and pets (specifically pets and related products) caused an increase in the index in this category.  Housing and utilities increased from 6.1 in February to 6.8 per cent in March. Liquid fuels (under the subcategory of electricity, gas and other fuels) mainly caused the increase in the index.

Rates

The decreasing rates were slightly counteracted by increasing rates of growth in the price indices for restaurants and hotels which decreased from -1.7 in February 2021 to -2.8 per cent last month. Catering services, such as restaurants and cafés mainly resulted to the lower index in this category. Other contributors were alcohol beverages, tobacco and narcotics which decreased from 6.0 in February 2021 to 5.3 per cent in March 2021.Tobacco and alcohol beverages (such as beer) mainly contributed to the lower index in this category.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: