Cost of living rises

Wednesday, December 17, 2003

The Cayman Islands Government's Economics and Statistics Office (ESO) has released its latest figures on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) that showed a price increase in the majority of Cayman goods and services.

In September the ESO collected prices for more then 500 items and services including supermarket goods, school lunches, rent and insurance.

The ESO's findings showed that consumer prices were up 0.8 percent compared to the same period in 2002 and up 0.6 percent from the previous quarter.

The education and medical section showed the highest increase with a 7.8 percent rise caused by higher medical and school fees.

Personal goods and services increased 2.8 percent during the quarter while the household equipment index rose 2.5 percent owing to price hikes for furniture and other related items.

Due to a decline in rental prices the housing index dipped 4.3 percent and the alcohol and tobacco index was flat with a decline of 0.1 percent.

Back...