STATIN reports on inflation

The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) is reporting that the inflation rate, as recorded by the All Jamaica ‘All Divisions’ Consumer Price Index increased by 0.2 per cent in April 2015.

According to STATIN, upward movements in the index for Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages, Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco and Transport contributed to the increase in the inflation rate for the month.

The institute says these movements were contained by the fall in the index for ‘Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’.

All groups within that division had increases with the exception of the group ‘Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ which fell by 4.6 per cent.

STATIN says this resulted mainly from lower fuel rates, as well as an appreciation of the Jamaican dollar.

Meanwhile, the calendar year-to-date inflation rate for April 2015 was -0.5 per cent, the point-to-point is 4.4 per cent and the fiscal year-to-date is 0.2 per cent.

The institute also says the regional index showed upward movements in all three regions.