Macau’s composite consumer price index (CPI) in September dropped by 0.40 percent year-on-year, the first decrease since December 2009, the Statistics and Census Bureau (DSEC) announced yesterday.
A DSEC statement attributed the decline in last month’s composite CPI to lower charges for package tours, telecommunication services and electricity, as well as reduced prices of gasoline, clothing and footwear.
Among the various sections of goods and services, the price indices of communication and recreation/culture declined by 11.31 percent and 10.19 percent year-on-year respectively, whereas the index of health rose by 3.31 percent.
The composite CPI dropped by 0.23 percent month-to-month.
For the 12 months ended last month, the average composite CPI rose by 1.70 percent from the previous period (October 2018 to September 2019), with notable growth in the price indices of education (+4.75 percent), health (+4.51 percent) and food and non-alcoholic beverages (+4.50 percent).
The average composite CPI for the third quarter fell by 0.03 percent year-on-year, according to the statement.
