Definition: In Mauritius, inflation refers the percentage change in the level of prices (as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI)) from one period to another.

Calendar year Inflation rate

1990 13.5

1991 7.0

1992 4.6

1993 10.5

1994 7.3

1995 6.0

1996 6.6

1997 6.6

1998 6.8

1999 6.9

2000 4.2

2001 5.4

2002 6.4

2003 3.9

2004 4.7

2005 4.9

2006 8.9

2007 8.8

2008 9.7

2009 2.5

2010 2.9 (Source: CSO 2011)

In March 2011,the CPI, stood at 127.4 but registered a net increase of 0.4 point (or 0.3%) to reach 127.8 in June 2011. On a monthly basis, the CPI increased by 0.2 point in April, remained stable in May and then rose by 0.2 point in June 2011.

Factors having affecting inflation since March 2011

According to CSO, the main factors for the net rise in the CPI from March to June 2011 (Table 3) were:

(a) higher food prices mainly meat, milk and a variety of other food products;

(b) higher prices of ready made clothing;

(c) higher interest rates on housing loans;

(d) higher clinic fees;

partly offset by

(e) lower prices of vegetables, fruits and rice;

(f) continued effect of price decrease of gasolene as from 30 March 2011.

Aug 30, 2011

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