Macau's composite consumer price index (CPI) rose by 1.07 percent year-on-year in March, but edged down by 0.02 percent compared with the previous month, the Statistics and Census Bureau (DSEC) announced today.
A DSEC statement attributed the year-on-year growth to domestic helpers' higher wages, increased electricity and gasoline prices, as well as the higher cost of dining out and air tickets. This was, the statement noted, partially offset by lower housing rents and falling telecommunication service fees and lower prices of pork.
The average composite CPI for the first quarter was up by 0.96 percent year-on-year.
According to the statement, the composite CPI aims to reflect the impact of price changes on local households.
