Qatar Statistics Authority releases the Consumer Price Index for August 2012

A comparison of CPI, August, 2012 with the previous month index (CPI of July, 2012) by major groups, displays increases ranging between 0.1% and 0.8% in all the major groups with the exception of "Food, Beverages and Tobacco", where prices declined, by 0.1%.

The highest increases (0.8% each) have been noticed in the groups "Entertainment, recreation and culture" and "Miscellaneous goods and services". "Garments and Footwear" and "Transport and communications" groups each with 0.3%. "Rent ,fuel and energy" and "Furniture, Textiles and home Appliances" groups increase by 0.1% for each.

The 0.1% decline in "Food, Beverages & Tobacco" is primarily the result of the price control order issued by the Consumer Protection Department for the Ramadan period (Mid July- Mid Aug).

A year-on-year comparison, comparing the CPI of August 2012 with that of August 2011 showed increases of 2.3% at the overall level. Increases were recorded in all the major groups, with the exception of "Rent, Fuel and Energy", which registered a drop of 3.3%. The highest increases were recorded in the groups: "Furniture, Textiles and Home Appliances", 7.1%; "Entertainment, Recreation and Culture", 7.0%; "Food and Beverages", 5.5% and "Transport & Communications", 3.1%.

A CPI exclusive of the "Rent, Fuel and Energy" group has also been calculated. After eliminating the effect of rent, the overall index reached 124.3, showing an increase of 0.3% compared to the CPI of July 2012, and an increase of 4.3 % when compared to the month of August 2011