2008: Highest inflation since 1981

January 15, 2009 6:37 AM

The Central Bureau for Statistics (CBS) reports that with 5.9 percent, the inflation in 2008 is more than double that of 2007 (3.0 percent).  This is the highest inflation in Curacao since 1981, when it was as much as 12.2 percent.  The CBS also measured that in December, the inflation didn’t grow as much as in the former months, namely with just 0.1 percent.

The prices for food increased the most in the past year, with 18.4 percent; one-third of the total inflation in 2008.  Noticeable were especially the prices for dairy products that increased the most (55.7 percent) and cooking fat (38.1 percent).  Other food products increased with percentages between the 12 and 20.

The prices in the sector transportation and communication increased with 7.8 percent average and this is due to the more expensive price for gasoline and diesel with respectively 26.5 and 66.0 percent.  More expensive electricity (with 13.7 percent), gas (with 13.6 percent), and kerosene (with 61.4 percent), made living in 2008 more expensive with 5.3 percent average. 
Comparing December with November, the biggest price increases are for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products (with 1.4 percent) and food (with 1.1 percent).
Grain products, meat, and fish increased with 1.1 to 2.2 percent; vegetable and fruit increased with 18 percent for tomatoes, white rice with 8 percent, and chicken meat with 5 percent.

(Source: National newspaper Amigoe)

13 January, 2009