Qatar Consumer Price Index Up 2.5% in October

Doha, November 29 (QNA) - Qatar Statistics Authority (QSA) has released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for October 2011. The CPI for the month of October 2011 reached 109.4 showing an increase by 0.4 % when compared to September 2011, and an increase of 2.5%, when compared to October 2010, a QSA statement said. A comparison of CPI of October 2011 to CPI of September 2011, shows that the overall increase of 0.4% was the net effect of rises in some major groups and drops in some others, as follows: The highest increase was registered in the group Entertainment, recreation and culture, which recorded a rise of 4.7%, mainly attributable to the increase in the prices of Education and Training Services due to increase in the sub-group other Education fees. The index of Furniture, Textiles and Home appliances increased by 2.8%, due to increase in cost of household services. In addition, Medical care and Medical services increased by 1.1%, Food, beverages and tobacco rose by 0.8 % Those increases were partly offset by the drop of 1.6% in the index for Rent, the drop of 0.8% in Miscellaneous Goods and Services, and the decline of 0.1% in Transport and Communication due to a decrease in the price of personal cars in 2011. A comparison of CPI of October 2011 to CPI of October 2010, shows a year-on year overall increase of 2.5%. Analysis by major group shows increases ranging from 3.5% to 8.1% in all major groups except for the group Rent, which declined by 5.8%. The highest increase of 8.3% was recorded in the group Transport and Communication, mainly resulting from higher prices due to main increase in the sub-group Requirement of Personal Transport Equipment s (spare parts) and Air Transport (air fare), followed by Garments and Footwear with 6.9%, and Entertainment, Recreation, Culture 5.6%, Miscellaneous Goods and Services, 5.6%, Medical care and Medical services 3.5%, and Food, beverages and tobacco, 3.1% . A CPI exclusive of the Rent group has also been calculated. After eliminating the effect of rent, the overall index shows an increase of 1.2% compared to that of September 2011, and an increase of 5.8 % compared to the month of October 2010. (QNA)