The inflation rate in the Sultanate, calculated in terms of consumer price index (CPI), increased by 0.34% in July 2019 compared to the same month of 2018, according to the latest data released by the National Centre for Statistics and information (NCSI) on consumer prices' index. According to the report, the inflation rate in the month of July rose by 0.48% compared to June 2019.
The increase in inflation was caused due to a rise in cost of major segments such as food and non-alcoholic beverages by 1.24%; furnishings, household equipment, and routine household maintenance by 5.39%; health by 0.20; restaurants and hotels by 0.77%; education by 1.99%; and recreation and culture by 0.92%.
However, the prices of housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels by 0.28%; transport by 0.41%; communication by 0.43%; and miscellaneous goods and services fell by 2.36% in July 2019 compared to the same month of the previous year.
Among foods and non-alcoholic beverages group, a marked fall of 2.17% and 0.73% was witnessed in fish and seafood products and meat, respectively. The price of vegetables and oils and fats also fell by 0.13% and 0.11%, respectively.
Meanwhile, the prices of non-alcoholic beverages rose by 13.58% and those of fruit as well as milk, cheese and eggs rose by 3.24% and 0.63%, respectively, in July 2019 against the same period of 2018.