1999 inflation almost double 1998's figure
Inflation at the end of 1999 was 8.6%, compared with 4.5% the previous year. There was a 0.3% increase for the month of December. A release from the Bureau of Statistics, said that except for the medical care subgroup of items which recorded an increase of 5.9%, all other subgroups, including food, remained relatively stable during December. The increase in medical care, the release said, was as a result of a 17.2% increase in doctors' fees. The statement said that unlike previous years, the inflation rate for 1999 received a more significant shove from the non-food subgroups and items in the Consumer Price Index. The food subgroup increased by 6.9% and when the increases in housing (10.2%), transport and communication (12.8%), medical care (29.6%) and education and research (10.3%) are considered, the inflation rate is 8.6%. Within the food subgroup, inflation for 1999 seemed to have been fuelled by price increases for flour (11.9%), fry oil (36%) coconut oil (34.8%), salt (32.6%), red peppers (126.9%), vegetables and fruits in general, rum (17.86%), Milo (29.3%) and cigarettes (30.8%). Non-food items which contributed to the inflation rate include electricity increases of 10.4%, kerosene 76.4%, cooking gas 21%, gasoline and oils 54.2%, mini-bus and taxi fares 17.5%, air fares 20.1%, spectacles 20.5%, doctors' fees 74.5%, dentists' fees 29.5%, hospital fees 38.9%, school fees 25.7%, private tuition 62.5% and newspapers ten percent.
|