Abu Dhabi inflation at 1.3%

CPI increased 1.3% Abu Dhabi - Arab Today Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 1.3 percent over the twelve months of 2013 compared with the same period in 2012, as shown by the rise in the CPI from 122.9 points in the twelve months of 2012 to 124.5 points over the same period of 2013, according to Statistics Center - Abu Dhabi (SCAD). SCAD issued today its periodic report on the consumer price index (CPI) and the inflation rate in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi for the month of December and the fourth quarter of 2013. The report analyzes the CPI calculations for the periods under review, with the year 2007 fixed as the base year. 'Consumer prices in the twelve months of 2013/2012 As SCAD's report reveals, consumer prices increased 1.3 percent over the twelve months of 2013 compared with the same period in 2012, as shown by the rise in the CPI from 122.9 points in the twelve months of 2012 to 124.5 points over the same period of 2013. The "Food and non-alcoholic beverages" group which accounted for the largest rise in the index during the twelve months 2013 compared with the same period of 2012, contributing 25.9% to the change. The rises in the "Food and non-alcoholic beverages" group came as a result of increases in the prices of most subgroups included in this group. The price of "Vegetables" by 9.1%, "Coffee, tea and cocoa" subgroups rose by 6.4%, "Food products n.e.c." subgroups rose by 4.2%, "Fish and seafood" by 3.7% and "Fruit" rose by 2.4% The second highest contributor to the overall increase in the CPI over the twelve months of 2013 was the "Transport" group, accounting for 21% of the increase. This resulted from an increase of 2.8% in the prices of this group. The prices of "Clothing and footwear" rose by 2.7% during the twelve months of 2013 compared with the same period of 2012. This group contributed 16.8% of the total increase achieved by all groups. The "Restaurants and hotels" group accounted for 15.6% of the overall increase occurring during the twelve months of 2013 compared with the same period of 2012. The "Education" group accounted for 3.3% of the overall increase occurring during the first twelve months of 2013 compared with the same period of 2012. This group contributed 9.1% of the total increase achieved by all groups. Consumer price for the fourth quarter 2013 /2012 The "Food and non-alcoholic beverages" group accounted for 36.5% of the increase in the CPI, with prices for this group increasing by 3.8%. The "Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels" which accounted for 18.1% of the percentage point rise in the index. This was due to increases in the prices of most of the subgroups included in this group, with prices for this group increasing by 0.9%. The "Clothing and footwear" group accounted for 15.3% of the increase in the CPI, with prices for this group increasing by 3.6%. The "Transport" group accounted for 10% of the increase in the CPI, with prices for this group increasing by 1.9%. The CPI for Q4 2013 compared with Q3 2013 increased by 0.5 per cent. The most significant individual increase came from prices for "Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels" which increased by 0.6%. Consumer prices in December 2013/2012 The average consumer prices increased by 2.2% in December 2013 compared with December 2012, with the CPI at 126.0 points in December 2013, up from 123.3 points in December 2012. The most significant groups, which experienced increases in prices during December 2013 compared with December 2012, were the "Food and non-alcoholic beverages" with 4.6%, "Restaurants and hotels" group with a 3.7% increase, followed by "Clothing and footwear" with 3.3% and "Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels" with 1.5%, and "Transport" with 1.2%. Consumer prices in December / November 2013 The average consumer prices increased by 0.1% in December 2013 compared with November 2013. This overall increase in prices between the two months reflects the net movement (increases and decreases) of consumer prices during the periods compared. Consumer prices by household welfare level Comparing the average CPI by household welfare level for the twelve months of 2013 with the same period of 2012 The rise of 1.3% in consumer prices during the twelve months of 2013 compared with the same period in 2012, resulted in an increase of 1.6% in consumer prices for households of the bottom and top welfare quintile for the same period of comparison. The corresponding rise for other welfare levels was 1.2%. Comparing the average CPI by household welfare level for December 2013 with December 2012 The rise in consumer prices in December 2013 by 2.2% compared with December 2012 showed a rise in consumer prices for households in the bottom welfare quintile by 2.6% and top welfare quintile by 2.0%, while prices increased by 2.3% households in the middle quintile. Comparing the average CPI by household welfare level for December 2013 with November 2013 In December 2013 consumer prices increased by 0.1% compared with November 2013. This was due to an increase of 0.1% in consumer prices for households in the top welfare quintile. CPI by household type Comparing the average CPI by household type for the twelve months of 2013 with the same period of 2012 The 1.3% rise in consumer prices for the twelve months of 2013 compared with the same period of 2012, pushed up consumer prices for citizen and non-citizen households by 1.2%, and share households by 1.7%. Comparing the average CPI by household type for the month of December 2013 with December 2012 The 2.2% rise in consumer prices in December 2013 compared with December 2012 was due to a 2.2% rise in consumer prices for citizen households, a 2.1% rise for non-citizen households, while prices for share households increased by 2.6%. Comparing the average CPI by household type for the month of December 2013 with November 2013 The 0.1% increase in consumer prices in December 2013 compared with November 2013 was due to a 0.1% increase in consumer prices for non-citizen during the same period. Source: WAM