The
Development Planning Unit
Government of the British Virgin Islands

Introduction

For June 2005, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 136.30 where as the previous month (May 2005) the index stood at 134.14. A quarter earlier (March 2005), the index stood at 133.84. A half-year earlier ( December 2004)  the index stood at  133.71.One year ago (June 2004) the index stood at 133.17.  

Monthly Comparison

The increase in the monthly price index was as a result of changes in the following subgroups: Food, Beverage & Tobacco subgroup increased by 1.12 percent due to the increase in the prices of rum, hamburgers, vegetables and Bananas (ripe). Housing rose by 7.21 percent due mainly to increases in most of the items in the subgroup and the Furniture & Household Supplies Subgroup declined by 0.51 percent due to the decline mainly in the cost of refrigerator and garbage bags. There was a slight increase of 0.26 percent in the Clothing & Footwear subgroup this was a result of higher prices of baby pampers and ladies panty  hose. The Transportation subgroup fell by 0.01 percent due to a decrease in the price of Tyre. The increase in cough syrup,  paracetamol and school supplies caused a 0.29 percent increase in the Services subgroup. The Miscellaneous Subgroup fell by 1.06 percent due to the lower prices of toilet soap and lotion. 

Quarter Comparison

The quarterly comparison indicated increases in all subgroups with the exception of Miscellaneous subgroup which fell by 2.27 percent and Furniture & Household Supplies which fell by 0.41 percent. Transportation subgroup decreased by 0.01 percent. Food, Beverage & Tobacco subgroup rose by 1.65 percent, while Housing subgroup rose by 7.24 percent. Clothing & Footwear subgroup and Services subgroup rose by 0.42 and 1.36 percent respectively.

Half - Year Comparison

The half -yearly comparison indicated both significant increases and decreases among the different subgroups. Food, Beverage & Tobacco, Housing, Clothing & Footwear and Services indicated increases of 1.85, 7.24, 0.50 and 1.36 percent respectively. Furniture & Household Supplies subgroup declined 0.37 percent, Miscellaneous subgroup declined by 1.61 percent and Transportation subgroup fell by 0.01 percent. 

Annual Comparison

On an annual comparison, the Food, Beverage &  Tobacco Subgroup increased by 3.49 percent, while Housing Subgroup rose by 7.24 percent. Services subgroup rose by 1.21 percent and Clothing & Footwear subgroup by 1.26 percent. The declining subgroups were: Furniture & Household Supplies which fell by 0.57 percent, Miscellaneous by 2.48 percent, and Transportation subgroup which dropped by 0.01.

Rate of Inflation

The point-to-point monthly, quarterly, half-yearly and annual rates of inflation stood at 1.61, 1.83, 1.93 and 2.35 percent respectively.

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

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