Qatar CPI edges down in September

Qatar’s consumer price index (CPI) stood at 107.99 points in September, showing a decrease of 1.12% on a monthly basis and 0.38% year-on-year, according data from the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics (MDPS), QNA reported. On a monthly basis, the CPI showed that there are five main groups that have registered decreases, namely: recreation and culture at 6.61%; transport 2.42%; housing, water, electricity and gas 0.35%; restaurants and hotels 0.15%, and furniture and household equipment 0.04%.

An increase was seen in the clothing and footwear group by 2.2%; food and beverages 0.88%; and miscellaneous goods and services 0.16%. The groups of tobacco, health, communication and education remained flat at the last month’s price level.

The yearly drop in CPI was primarily due to the decreasing prices seen in communication by 11.86%; recreation and culture 4.59%; housing, water, electricity and other fuel 2.9%; food and beverages 2.53%, and miscellaneous goods and services by 0.82%.

However, there has been increases in price levels in the transport segment by 6.13%; education 5.63%; clothing and footwear 3.06%; health 2.88%; furniture and household equipment 2.07%, and restaurants and hotels by 1.69%. Tobacco prices remained flat.

The CPI of September 2018 – excluding housing, water, electricity and other fuel group – was at 108.32 points, showing a 1.03% decrease month-on-month, but an increase by 0.39% on a yearly basis.