The
Development Planning Unit
Government of the British Virgin Islands

Introduction
At the end of the first half of 2000 (June 2000) the  Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at a 123.6 whereas the previous month (May 2000) and a quarter year earlier the index stood at a 122.3 respectively.  A half year earlier (December 1999) the index stood at 120.2 while one year later the index stood at 119.3. 


Monthly Comparison
The monthly comparison indicated increases in all the subgroups with the exception of Clothing and Footwear.  This subgroup declined by 0.96 percent due to the lower prices of pampers and boys and men’s shirt.  Food, Beverage and Tobacco on the other hand  increased by 0.45 percent due to the higher prices of ground beef, chicken, oils, fruits, and vegetables, juices and cereals. The Housing sector increased by 0.45 percent due to the higher price of cooking gas. Furniture & Household Supplies increased by 1.24 percent due to the result of  higher prices of toilet paper, garbage bags and mattresses.  In the Transportation sector, there was a 3.31 percent price increase which was a result of higher prices on tires, while services increased by 4.16 percent due to the higher prices of doctor’s visits and cough syrups.  The Miscellaneous subgroup increased by 0.97 percent due to the higher prices of books and magazines.

Quarterly Comparison 
A quarterly comparison of the CPI showed that there was a decline in all subgroups except the subgroup Clothing & Footwear which den the previous quarter Food, Beverage & Tobacco subgroup increased by 0.99 percent, Housing 0.38 percent, Inclined by 0.96 percent.  

 Furniture & Household  Supplies 0.61 percent, Transportation 3.31 percent and  Services 4.07 percent and Miscellaneous 1.14 percent.

Half-Year Comparison 
On a half-yearly basis, significant increases were indicated in all the subgroups except Clothing & Footwear which declined by 0.87 percent.  Food, Beverage & Tobacco increased by 1.17 percent, Housing 0.38 percent,  Furniture & Household  Supplies 11.32 percent, Transportation 4.71 percent and  Services 5.09 percent and Miscellaneous 1.14 percent.

Annual Comparison
On an annual comparison, all the subgroups showed an increase with the exception of Clothing & Footwear which declined by 0.52 percent.  Food, Beverage & Tobacco increased by 0.72 percent,  Housing by 0.54 percent, Furniture & Household Supplies 14.08 percent,  Transportation 7.01 percent, Services 5.57 percent and  Miscellaneous 4.19 percent.

Rate of Inflation
The point -to-point monthly,  quarterly, Half-yearly and annual rate of inflation stood at 1.06, 2.83 and 3.60 percent  respectively.