Oman’s inflation crosses 1 per cent in August

MUSCAT: Year-on-year consumer prices for August 2017 touched 1.03 per cent in the Sultanate, according to data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

The rise was driven by an increase in the cost of furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance group, education and housing, water electricity, gas and other fuels set.

The major cause of the prices rise was a 3.45 per cent, rise in furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance group in August this year compared to the same period of 2016.

Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels witnessed 1.47 per cent rise while that of foods and non-alcoholic beverages rose 1.09 per cent. Prices of clothing and footwear set rose slightly by 0.25 per cent rise compared to August 2016 while education witnessed a 2.84 per cent jump compared to the same period last year.

While health prices rose by 0.39 per cent, that of recreation and culture set went up by 0.33 per cent in August this year compared to the same period of 2016. Communication set fell by 2.95 per cent compared to prices last year while transport prices rose 1.20 per cent in August this year compared to prices in August 2016. In the food and beverages set, fish and seafood turned costlier by 6.49 per cent and fruits by 3.48 per cent while vegetables saw a decline of 1.36 per cent. Prices of breads and cereals turned costlier by 0.87 per cent, meat by 0.40 per cent and sugar and jams by 0.57 per cent compared to August 2016. The prices of milk, cheese and eggs declined by 0.10 per cent and that of oils and fats by 0.06 per cent.