Inflation, as measured by the change in the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) (2013=100), which is compiled by the Department of Census and Statistics, increased to 4.7 per cent in September 2016 from 4.5 per cent in August 2016, on year-on-year basis. Both Food and Non-food categories contributed towards the year-on-year inflation in September 2016.
The change in the NCPI measured on an annual average basis increased to 3.8 per cent in September 2016 from 3.6 per cent in August 2016.
When the monthly change is considered, the NCPI increased from 113.3 index points in August 2016 to 113.5 index points in September 2016. This monthly increase was mainly due to the increase in prices of the items in the Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco category. Within the Food category, prices of fruits, big onions, rice and coconut increased during the month. Prices in Clothing and Footwear; Furnishing, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance; Education; Restaurants and Hotels and Miscellaneous Goods and Services sub-categories also increased during September 2016. Meanwhile, prices in Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels; Health; Transport; Communication and Recreation and Culture sub-categories remained unchanged during the month.
The NCPI Core inflation, which reflects the underlying inflation in the economy decreased to 5.7 per cent in September 2016 from 6.0 per cent in August 2016, on year-on-year basis. Annual average NCPI Core inflation increased marginally to 5.7 per cent in September 2016 from 5.6 per cent in August 2016.