5 Nov 2008

Vanuatu Quarterly Consumer Price Index says cost of living in town has increased

10:58 am on 5 November 2008

The Vanuatu Quarterly Consumer Price Index report for the third quarter of 2008 has revealed the cost of living in town has increased with the country's increasing dependency on imported goods.

The CPI measures quarterly changes in the price of a basket of goods and services of typical daily purchases made by Port Vila and Lugainville households.

The Daily Post the September quarter 2008 revealed that the CPI rose by 2.4 % over the June quarter of 2008.

It also registered an increase of 6.0 % over the September quarter of last year.

The groups recording a significant impact on the increase over September quarter 2007 were food with an increase of 11.3%, Transport and communication with 7.2%, drinks and Tobacco 5.8%.

This increase corresponds to an increase of almost 45 % in total imports in September 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.