MACAO, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Macao's average composite consumer price index (CPI) for 2021 rose by 0.03 percent year on year to 102.63, with the inflation rate down 0.78 percentage point from 2020 to 0.03 percent, the special administrative region's (SAR) statistic agency said Friday.
The latest report from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the increase was driven by higher airfares, rising prices of liquefied petroleum gas and gasoline, along with dearer charges for eating out and rising wages of domestic helpers.
Yet, the rise was partly offset by lower rentals for dwellings, falling pork prices and hotel room rates, as well as reduced charges for package tours and telecommunications service, according to the report.
The price indices of transport and household furnishings and services showed notable growth of 3.58 percent and 3.52 percent, respectively, while the indices of recreation and culture and communication recorded marked decreases of 6.23 percent and 5.36 percent, respectively.
The composite CPI for December 2021 rose by 1.0 percent year on year to 103.07, which was attributed to higher wages of domestic helpers, increased charges for eating out, rising airfares, as well as dearer prices of gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas. However, the rise was partially offset by lower rentals for dwellings and retreating prices of pork. ■
