The inflation rate in the Sultanate, calculated in terms of consumer price index (CPI), increased by 0.44% in August 2019 compared to the same month of 2018, according to the latest data released by the (NCSI) on consumer prices' index. According to the report, the inflation rate in the month of August rose by 0.09% compared to July 2019.
The increase in inflation was caused due to a rise in cost of major segments such as food and non-alcoholic beverages by 1.91%; furnishings, household equipment, and routine household maintenance by 4.78%; health by 0.20; restaurants and hotels by 0.56%; education by 1.99%; and recreation and culture by 0.86%. However, the prices of housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels by 0.28%; transport by 0.70%; communication by 0.36%; and miscellaneous goods and services fell by 2.11% in August 2019 compared to the same month of the previous year. Among foods and non-alcoholic beverages group, a marked fall of 0.87% was witnessed in meat. Meanwhile, the price of fish and seafood; milk, cheese and eggs; fruit; vegetables; and oils and fats rose by 1.80%, 0.47%, 4.93%, 0.93, and 0.04%, respectively.
Meanwhile, the prices of non-alcoholic beverages rose by 13.58%, while those of miscellaneous goods and services and clothing and footwear fell by 2.11% and 1.36%, respectively, in August 2019 against the same period of 2018.
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