Consumer Price Index Records 4.01% Annual Increase in March

Doha, April 15 (QNA) - The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the State of Qatar registered a 4.01% annual increase in March, compared to the CPI of March 2022, reaching 105.55 points. On monthly basis, the CPI showed an increase by 0.20% when compared to the CPI of February 2023.
A comparison of the CPI of March 2023 with the CPI of March 2022 (Annual Change), an increase has been recorded in the general index primary due to the prices rising in eight groups namely: "Recreation and Culture" by 13.63%, followed by "Housing, Water, Electricity and other Fuel" by 8.65%, "Clothing and Footwear" by 4.90%, "Education" by 2.61%, "Transport" by 2.50%, "Restaurants and Hotels" by 2.25%, "Health" by 1.62%, and "Food and "Beverages" by 1.06%.
A decrease has been shown in price levels in "Miscellaneous Goods and Services" by 0.34%, "Communication" by 4.84%, and "Furniture and Household Equipment" by 0.30%. No changes recorded on "Tobacco".
When comparing the main components of CPI of March 2023, with the previous month (Monthly change), the groups that showed an increase included: "Clothing and Footwear" by 1.56%, followed by "Recreation and Culture" by 1.44%, "Housing, Water, Electricity and other Fuel" by 1.09%, "Miscellaneous Goods and Services" by 0.75%, and "Transport" by 0.53%.
A decrease has been recorded in "Restaurants and Hotels" by 1.90%, followed by "Education" by 1.58%, "Food and Beverages" by 1.08%, and "Furniture and Household Equipment" by 0.22%. "Tobacco", "Health", "Communication" had remained flat at the last months price level.
The CPI of March 2023 excluding "Housing, Water, Electricity and other Fuel" group stands at 107.42 points, recording a decrease (almost stable) by 0.02% when compared to the index of February 2023. Compared with counterpart in 2022, the CPI of March index increased by 2.93%. (QNA)