The
Development Planning Unit
Government of the British Virgin Islands

Introduction

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the month of September 2005 stood at 137.63. The previous month (August 2005) CPI stood at 136.61. One Quarter earlier (June 2005), the index stood at 136.30. and one year earlier (September 2004) the index stood at 133.39.  

Monthly Comparison

In a monthly comparison, there were some changes within the subgroups. The first subgroup - Food, Beverage & Tobacco went up by 0.76 percentage points due to the upward movement in the cost of Chicken (Whole), Potatoes (White), Corn Flakes (Kellogg's) and Ham and Cheese Sandwich. Clothing and Footwear subgroup increased by 0.54 percentage point due to increases in the cost of Brief, Watch and Rings. The Transportation subgroup went up by 3.02 percentage points, due to the increase in the price of gasoline. The Miscellaneous subgroup rose by 4.39 percentage point due to an increase in Toilet Soap, Tooth paste, Books and Magazine. Decreases occurred in the Furniture & Household Supplies subgroup by 0.76 percentage points due to the decrease in the cost of Liquid Bleach and Toilet Paper. There were also decreases also in the Services subgroup by 0.06 percentage point due to the downwards movement in the cost of Vitamins. The only subgroup to remain unchanged was the Housing.

Quarter Comparison

On a  quarterly comparison, Food, Beverage &  Tobacco subgroup  increased by 1.90 percentage points. Clothing & Footwear subgroup increased by 0.64 percentage points, Transportation subgroup went up by 3.02 percentage points, while Miscellaneous rose by 2.71 percentage points. Decreases were seen in  Furniture & Household Supplies and Services subgroup by 0.59 percentage points and 0.11 percentage points respectively. The Housing subgroup remained unchanged.

Annual Comparison

In an annual comparison, changes were recorded in the most of the subgroups except for the the Miscellaneous subgroup which remained unchanged. Food, Beverage &  Tobacco subgroup increased by 4.75 percentage points, Housing increased by 7.24 percentage points, Clothing & Footwear  rose by 1.14 percentage points, Transportation went up by 3.01 percentage points and Services subgroup  by 1.26 percentage point. On the other hand, Furniture & Household Supplies subgroup decreased by 0.46 percentage point.

Rate of Inflation

The point-to-point monthly, quarterly and annual rates of inflation stood at 0.37, 0.60 and 2.79 percent respectively.

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

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