CPI-based inflation increases 6.17 per cent

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: The Consumer Price Index (CPI), measuring the monthly rate of inflation had recorded 6.17 percent increase in December 2018 as compared the 3.75 percent of the corresponding period of previous year.

However, on month on month basis, the CPI during the month of December was decreased by 0.41 percent as compared to the month of November 2018, according the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

During the first half of current financial year (July-December, 2018-19), monthly inflation increased by 6.05 percent as compared to 3.75 percent of the same period of last year, it added.

The PBS collects retail and the wholesale prices and computes the Consumer Price Index (CPI), Wholesale Price Index (WPI) and Consumer Price Index (SPI).

During the period from July-December, 2018-19, the SPI grew by 2.06 percent as against an increase of 1.33 percent of same period last year, where as WPI increased by 11.58 percent as against 1.96 percent of the corresponding period of last year.

In December 2018, the trimmed core inflation was observed at 6.9 percent as compared the 4.7 percent of December 2017, it added.

Meanwhile, non-food and non-energy core inflation during the period under review was increased by 8.4 percent as compared to the 5.5 percent during same month of last year.

On month on month basis top few commodities which had registered increased in their respective prices included train fares increased by 19.30%, LPG 6.69%. gold tezabi 5.75%, pulse moong 4.06%, tea lipton 3.48 percent, motor cycle 3.06%, pulse gram 2.96%, motor car tyre and tube 2.70%, pulse masoor 2.65%, pulse mash 2.55% and cooking oil 2.88%. The prices of the commodities which was reduced during last month included tomatoes by 21.41%, potatoes 20.23%, onions 13.23%, train fair economy class 9.52%, chicken farm 6.80%, iron bar 2.39%, petrol 2.04%, diesel 1.77%, eggs 1.32% and kerosene oil 1.00 %.

The prices of commodities which had recorded increase in their prices during the first half of current financial year included gas grew by 42.66%, kerosene oil 32.60%, motor fuel 26.41%, news papers 19.31%, transport services 15.78%, motor vehicle 12.41%, education 12.16%, water supply 12.05%, spices 11.88%, meat 11.65%, construction input items 10.71 %, dry fruit 10.61%, chicken 10.40%, doctor fee 10.33% personal equipment 10.12% and cosmetics 3.89%.