| NEWS ARCHIVES |
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| CPI in 2nd half of 2009 fell across income groups |
| 8 Feb 2010 |
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Those in the lowest income group would have felt their dollar stretched just that little bit more in the second half of last year.
The Department of Statistics, DOS, says the consumer price index or CPI fell 0.8 per cent for the lowest 20 per cent income group.
This compared with a fall of 0.6 per cent for the middle 60 per cent and just 0.1 per cent for the top 20 per cent income earners.
DOS says this was due to lower housing, transport and recreation costs.
During July - December 2009, the CPI for general households fell by 0.4 per cent over the same period of 2008.
For the whole of last year, the inflation rate for general households was 0.2 per cent, lower than the 6.5 per cent for 2008.
The CPIs for the lowest 20 and top 20 per cent income groups rose by 0.4 per cent while that for the middle 60 per cent income group edged up by 0.1 per cent.
DOS says the increases were mainly due to higher costs of food and health care.
The rise in the CPI for the top 20 per cent income group was also contributed by higher accommodation costs.
DOS says these price increases were partially offset by lower electricity tariffs as well as cheaper petrol and holiday travel. |