The
Development Planning Unit
Government of the British Virgin Islands

Introduction

At the end of 2004, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 133.7 whereas the pervious month November 2004 the index stood at 133.6. A quarter earlier September 2004 the index stood at 133.4 and a half-year earlier June 2004 the index stood at 133.2.Regarding the same period a year earlier December 2003 the index stood at 132.5.  

Monthly Comparison

In a monthly comparison, none of the subgroups reflected any downward movement. Food, Beverage & Tobacco which  increased by 0.13 percent as a result of higher prices of beef ( ground), potatoes (white), tomatoes and Chocolate ( Milo). Furniture & Household Supplies subgroup increased by 0.34 percent due to the higher prices of detergents ( soap-powder) and toilet paper. On the other hand all the other subgroups remained unchanged.

Quarter Comparison     

On a  quarterly comparison, there was a slight change in the subgroups, with the exception of Housing, Clothing & Footwear, Transportation and Services which remained unchanged. Food, Beverage & Tobacco rose by 0.93 percent while Furniture & Household Supplies rose by 0.50 percent . Miscellaneous moved down by 1.05 percent.

Half-Yearly Comparison

The half-yearly comparison between June and December of 2004 indices reflected the following changes in the subgroups. Food, Beverage & Tobacco rose by 1.61 percent, while Services fell by 0.15 percent and Miscellaneous by 0.89 percent. Furniture & Household Supplies dropped by 0.21 percent, while Clothing 7 Footwear subgroup went up by 0.75 percent. Housing and Transportation remained unchanged.

Annual Comparison

On an annual comparison, the subgroups reflected the following significant changes: Furniture & Household Supplies  rose by 0.35 percent. Transportation declined by 0.34 percent and the Miscellaneous subgroup fell by 0.84 percent. On the other hand, the Food, Beverage & Tobacco subgroups indicted an increase of 2.55 percent while the Housing subgroup moved up to 0.21 percent. Furthermore, Clothing & Footwear and the Services subgroups rose to 0.34 percent and 2.20 percent respectively. 

Rate of Inflation

The point-to-point monthly, quarterly, half yearly and annual rate of inflation stood at 0.08, 0.24, and 0.40 and 0.91 percent respectively.

TABLE 1
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX: MONTHLY, QUARTERLY AND ANNUAL COMPARISONS
(MARCH 1995=100)

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