HCMC – The consumer price index (CPI) in January has risen by 3.37% over the same period last year, with core inflation increasing by 2.72%, according to the General Statistics Office.
Several factors have contributed to this increase, including higher healthcare service fees, electricity tariff rise, and higher domestic rice prices.
Compared to December 2023, the CPI has inched up by 0.31%, with nine out of the 11 groups of items used to calculate the CPI soaring in price.
Pharmaceuticals and healthcare services have shown the most significant increase at 1.02%, followed by housing and construction materials at 0.56%.
Transportation has edged up by 0.41%, primarily due to higher fuel prices, with gasoline and diesel increasing by 0.79% and 1.39%, respectively. Public transportation services have jumped by 3.64%.
The group of other goods and services has increased by 0.4%, driven by specific product and service price hikes, including jewelry (2.48%), hairdressing services (0.9%), personal care services (1.16%), wedding-related products and services (0.47%), and ritual items (0.39%).
The beverages and tobacco sector has seen prices rising by 0.38% in January, due largely to the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, the time for a shopping spree.
The food-dining and culture-entertainment-tourism sectors have also posted price increases of 0.21% and 0.11%, respectively.
However, the postal and telecom services category has declined by 0.05% due to promotional discounts on specific mobile phone models.
