Over a year, Myanmar has seen group-wise food prices increase by about 8 percent, home rental prices by about 31 percent, health expenses by over 8 percent and education expenses by over 4 percent, according to a consumer price index (CPI) and inflation rate report from Central Statistics Organization.
The CPI rate in October this year reached over 160 exceeding by over 8.72 compared to the same period of last year.
Studying the CPI rate from June 2018 to October 2019 based on the calculation rate of 2012, the rate reached 141.13 in July 2018 and gradually increased to 148.95 in November 2018.
Due to the decreased exchange rate between Myanmar kyat and US dollar, paddy harvest time and cold season in December 2018, prices of commodities, fruits and vegetables and groceries decreased leading to a little decrease in CPI.
With increasing prices of meat, fish, and eggs and gold prices in January 2019 despite increased dollar exchange rate, CPI increased gradually till October, according to the CSO.
Reviewing CPI rates in various states and regions in October, the rate decreased in Mon State and increased in other states and regions while Chin State and Yangon Region did not see a significant increase. Ayeyawady Region saw the highest rate with 15.13 percent.
