Headline Inflation Increased by 13.22% in August 2020; 0.40% higher than July 2020 (12.82%) Rate

Dear Client/Reader,

The National Bureau of Statistics just reported that the consumer price index, (CPI) which measures inflation increased by 13.22% (year-on-year) in August 2020. This is 40 basis points higher than the rate recorded in July 2020 (12.82%).

The percentage change in the average composite CPI for the twelve months period ending August 2020 over the average of the CPI for the previous twelve months period was 12.23%, indicating a 0.18% increase from 12.05% recorded in July 2020.

Food Index Rose by 16.00%

Food index rose by 16.00% in August 2020. The average annual rate of change of the Food sub-index for the twelve-month period ending August 2020 over the previous twelve-month average was 14.87%, 0.24% higher than the average annual rate of change recorded in July 2020 (14.63%). This rise in the food index was caused by increases in prices of Bread and cereals, Potatoes, Yam and other tubers, Meat, Fish, Fruits, Oils and fats and Vegetables. On a  month-on-month basis, the food sub-index increased by 1.67% in August 2020, up by 0.15% from 1.52% recorded in July 2020.

Core Index stood at 10.52%

Price movements recorded by the Core index stood at 10.52% (year -on-year) in August 2020, up by 42 basis points as against 10.10% recorded in July 2020. The highest increases were recorded in prices of Passenger transport by air, Hospital services, Medical services, Pharmaceutical products, Maintenance and repair of personal transport equipment, Vehicle spare parts, Motor cars, Passenger transport by road, Miscellaneous services relating to the dwelling, Repair of furniture and Paramedical services. On a month-on-month basis, the core sub-index increased by 1.05% in August 2020, up by 30 basis points from 0.75% recorded in July 2020.

Urban Index increased by 13.83%

The Urban index increased by 13.83% (year-on-year) in August 2020 compared to 13.40% recorded in July 2020, while the Rural index increased by 12.65% (year -on-year) in August 2020 as against 12.28% in July 2020. On a month-on-month basis, the urban index rose by 1.42% in August 2020, up by 0.15% from 1.27% recorded in July 2020, while the rural index also rose by 1.27% in August 2020, up by 0.04% from the rate recorded in July 2020 (1.23%).

Regards,